Synopses & Reviews
Graham Harrison investigates contemporary African politics by privileging the dynamics of political struggle and resistance. Through the analysis of peasant politics, debt and structural adjustment, democratization, and identity politics, the author shows the importance of resistance and agency. Detailed studies of Mozambique, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso, demonstrate how political organization and resistance have been closely ingrained in particular post-colonial trajectories.
Review
"Interesting, well considered, and skillfully applies the main themes through recourse to examples...a valuable addition to the teaching materials on African politics." --Chris Alden, Department of International Relations, London School of Economics
Synopsis
List of Tables List of Maps Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introducing Political Struggle as Contemporary African Politics Peasants, Politics, and the Struggle for Development The Politics of Debt and Social Struggle Contesting Democratization New African Identities, New Forms of Struggle? Political Struggle as History Defending the Ideal of Struggle Bibliography Index
Synopsis
This book explores key issues in African politics, putting special emphasis on the collective struggles of Africans against injustice.
Synopsis
This book explores key issues in African politics, putting special emphasis on the collective struggles of Africans against injustice.
About the Author
Dr. Graham Harrison is Lecturer in Politics, University of Sheffield.
Table of Contents
Introducing Political Struggle as Contemporary African Politics * Analyzing Political Struggle * Structure and Struggle * Africa and the Politics of Representation * Further Reading *
Peasants, Politics, and the Struggle for Development * Moving Beyond the Prejudices * Conceptualizing the Peasantry * Peasants and Culture * Exit the Peasant, Enter the Smallholder? * Which way Forward? * Peasant-State Relations * Further Reading *
The Politics of Debt and Social Struggle * Introduction * The Creation of a Permanent Crisis * The Social Repercussions of Structural Adjustment * Politics and Resistance in the Age of Structural Adjustment * Further Reading *
Contesting Democratization * Introduction * Evaluating Change * Democratization and Political Activity * Recognizing the Limits * Structure and Struggle * Western Involvement in Democratization * Further Reading *
New African Identities * Introducing Political Identity * Culture, Identity, and Class * Youth, Violence, and Urban Protest * Towards a Resolution of Identity, Class, and Struggle * Further Reading *
Political Struggle as History *
Mozambique * Late Decolonization * Early Independence * Regional War and Rural Violence * Structural Adjustment and Peace * Writing in Political Struggle *
Nigeria * Independence * First Military Period * Second Republic * Second Military Period * Writing in Political Struggle *
Burkina Faso * Before Revolution * Revolution * 'Rectification' of the Revolution * Writing in Political Struggle * Further Reading *
Defending the Idea of Struggle * The Death of Political Struggle? * Political Struggle and Liberation? * Further Reading