African States since Independence

Authors Christensen and Laitin argue that an interplay of geographic, historical, and demographic factors undergird sub-Saharan states' post?independence struggles to eradicate poverty, establish democratic accountability, and quell civil unrest. They set out the founding fathers' challenges in trying to govern new states, many of which are ethnically diverse and geographically diffuse and sparsely populated, with little administrative capacity. With the legacies of the slave trade, partition, Christian missionaries, and extractive colonial institutions complicating their efforts, many African states faced stagnation, authoritarianism, and civil strife. Recent years have seen promising attempts to restore democracy to states under authoritarian rule and liberalize their economies, suggesting that the region is moving toward a new era. This broad, comprehensive, and richly illustrated book is an indispensable source for scholars and policy analysts trying to understand African countries' post-independence struggles.