Language Repertoires and State Construction in Africa

ISBN-13: 9780521413435 / Angielski / Twarda / 1992 / 220 str.

David D. Laitin; Peter Lange; Robert H. Bates

Opis

The author of two previous books on African political culture, David Laitin turns in this book to the study of language planning in Africa and the role of language politics in the process of state formation.

Recenzje

"...an elegant and compelling analysis of language politics and policy choice in Africa, by a long distance the most comprehensive undertaken in any field...In a mere 164 pages of text, Laitin sketches an amazingly comprehensive portrait. In its scope and succinctness, this comparative study is a model...a masterful analysis of one of the most important aspects of identity politics in Africa and elsewhere. It is must reading for all students of African politics, as well as those concerned with the comparative politics of cultural pluralism." Crawford Young, American Political Science Review

Spis treści

Preface; Part I. Language Repertoires and the State: 1. Language repertoires as political outcomes; 2. Three theories explaining language outcomes; 3. Do language outcomes matter?; Part II. Sociological and Political Forces Described: 4. The micro dynamics of language use in contemporary Africa; 5. Macro forces shaping the contemporary language situation in Africa; Part III. Strategic Theory Applied: 6. Strategic theory and Africa's language future; 7. Case studies from independent Africa; Part IV. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations: 8. Shaping the 3 + 1 language state; Notes; References; Index.