The Palgrave Handbook of African Politics, Governance and Development

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxix

   PDF

2. Introduction: Contextualizing the Debates on Politics, Governance and Development

   • Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, Toyin Falola

   Pages 1-32

3. Theories and Concepts

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 33-33

      PDF

   2. Competing Theories and Concepts on Politics, Governance, and Development

      • Wanjala S. Nasong’o

      Pages 35-56

   3. Theory of the Crises of the State

      • Ogenga Otunnu

      Pages 57-70

   4. Post-colonialism: Theoretical Foundations and Relevance to African Politics

      • Godwin Onuoha

      Pages 71-82

   5. Decoloniality as a Combative Ontology in African Development

      • William Mpofu

      Pages 83-102

   6. Theories of Social Change and Development in Africa

      • Augustine Okechukwu Agugua

      Pages 103-121

   7. Theoretical Foundations of Nation-Building

      • Lawrence Ogbo Ugwuanyi

      Pages 123-133

4. History and Contexts of Politics, Governance, Politics, and Development

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 135-135

      PDF

   2. Pre-colonial Political Institutions: Relevance for Contemporary Africa

      • Elizabeth A. Eldredge

      Pages 137-157

   3. Politics and Society in Pre-colonial Africa: Implications for Governance in Contemporary Times

      • Alinah K. Segobye

      Pages 159-172

   4. Settler and Non-settler Colonialism in Africa

      • Adelaja Odutola Odukoya

      Pages 173-186

   5. Nationalism in Africa: Concepts, Types and Phases

      • Maurice N. Amutabi

      Pages 187-202

   6. Nationalism and Political Independence in Africa

      • James Olusegun Adeyeri

      Pages 203-215

5. The Military in Politics

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 217-217

      PDF

   2. Theories of Military in African Politics

      • G. S. Mmaduabuchi Okeke

      Pages 219-242

   3. Coups and Countercoups in Africa

      • Richard Obinna Iroanya

      Pages 243-258

   4. Military and Transition Politics

      • Rotimi Ajayi, Yusuf Ibrahim

      Pages 259-275

   5. Civil–Military Relations in Africa

      • Browne Onuoha

      Pages 277-288

This handbook constitutes a single collection of well researched articles and essays on African politics, governance and development from the pre-colonial through colonial to the post-colonial eras. Over the course of these interconnected periods, African politics have evolved with varied experiences across different parts of the continent. As politics is embedded both in the economy and the society, Africa has witnessed some changes in politics, economics, demography and its relations with the world in ways that requires in-depth analysis. This work provides an opportunity for old and new scholars to engage in the universe of the debate around African politics, governance and development and will serve as a ready reference material for students, researchers, policy makers and investors that are concerned with these issues.

• Africa
• Development
• Political economy
• Governance
• Democratic consolidation
• Elections
• democracy

“Past, present and future meet in a highly illuminating and productive manner on the pages of this massive volume focused on the historical, theoretical, empirical, and policy dimensions of the interfaces of politics, governance and development in Africa. The outcome is a largely readable and engaging collection of essays penned by several generations of scholars, from leading to new and emerging voices, who do justice to the complexities in Africa's trajectories across time. The book is set to emerge as a most authoritative volume on Africa and its complex histories, encounters, and alternative futures in its experience with politics, governance and development—and with the rest of the world.” (Adigun Agbaje, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria)

“This handbook brings together an impressive array of scholars, some well-known, others deserving wider consideration. The topics addressed require urgent attention as the achievements in politics, governance, and development in Africa are so widely divergent. The editors draw on a broad range of analyses while emphasis is given to the perspectives of African scholars. It will be closely read within and outside Africa and will enhance the quality of ongoing debates.” (Richard Joseph, John Evans Professor of Political Science and International History, Northwestern University, USA)

“The sheer range, discursive interests and theoretical persuasions of the academics and researchers who contributed to this volume makes it a must-read for all those concerned with the state of African politics. Even more, the topics deal with key issues of African history, the ever-evolving present and finally, what we can expect of the continent’s future.” (Sanya Osha, Research Fellow, Institute for Economic Research in Innovation, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa)

• Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

  Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba

• Department of History, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA

  Toyin Falola

Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba is Senior Lecturer at the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, University of South Africa. He was formerly Visiting Scholar in the Program of African Studies, Northwestern University, USA.



Toyin Falola is the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities and Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of History, University of Texas at Austin, USA.

Policies and ethics