Une introduction concise à la diversité des politiques contemporaines sur le continent africain.
Une analyse accessible du fonctionnement des États et des sociétés au-delà des institutions politiques formelles.
Des repères historiques et actuels sur le sous-développement, les influences extérieures, la gouvernance et l’État.
Pour qui ?
Pour les lecteurs et lectrices qui cherchent une première approche solide de la politique africaine en anglais.
Pour les étudiant·e·s, enseignant·e·s et personnes intéressées par les sciences politiques, les relations internationales et le développement.
Pour mieux comprendre les dynamiques politiques de l’Afrique subsaharienne avec nuance et contexte.
Thèmes
Politique africaine, État et structures sociales.
Sous-développement, exploitation extérieure et influences historiques ou contemporaines.
Démocratie, gouvernance, violence politique et développement économique.
Livre en anglais.
Ian Taylor explores contemporary African politics in all its diversity, revealing how state and society actually functions beyond the formal institutional facade. He examines why questions of underdevelopment, outside exploitation, misrule, and weak state structures are characteristic of so many Sub-Saharan states in particular.
Africa is a continent of 54 countries and over a billion people. However, despite the rich diversity of the African experience, it is striking that continuations and themes seem to be reflected across the continent, particularly south of the Sahara. Questions of underdevelopment, outside exploitation, and misrule are characteristic of many - if not most-states in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this Very Short Introduction Ian Taylor explores how politics is practiced on the African continent, considering the nature of the state in Sub-Saharan Africa and why its state structures are generally weaker than elsewhere in the world. Exploring the historical and contemporary factors which account for Africa's underdevelopment, he also analyses why some African countries suffer from high levels of political violence while others are spared. Unveilling the ways in which African state and society actually function beyond the formal institutional façade, Taylor discusses how external factors - both inherited and contemporary - act upon the continent.
"This book masterfully presents compelling arguments in narratives sensitive to history, time, and space. It effectively integrates complicated storylines with serious concerns about democracy, governance, institutions, and leadership, while assertively foregrounding the end goal of politics: people, peace, and prosperity." Toyin Falola, Jacob and Frances Snager, Mossiker Chair in the Humanities
Who is Ian Taylor
Ian Taylor has published numerous books on African politics and international relations.As well as being Professor in International Relations and African Political Economy at the University of St Andrews he is Chair Professor in the School of International Studies, Renmin University of China, and Professor Extraordinary in Political Science at the University of Stellenbosch. He previously taught African politics and development subjects at the University of Botswana and has also taught at the University of Addis Ababa and Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda. He has conducted research in and/or visited 41 African countries.
