'This is a lively contribution to the literature on authoritarianism. Closely observed and richly described, Desrosiers convincingly argues for a nuanced understanding of Rwanda's postcolonial regimes. In investigating the banal uncertainties of authoritarian rule, Desrosiers provides a brilliant interpretation of Rwanda's pre-genocide period.' Susan Thomson, Colgate University
Trajectories of authoritarianism: An introduction; 1. The study of authoritarianism, including in Rwanda; 2. Should Rwanda matter to the study of authoritarianism?; 3. Some background: Timelines, beginnings and endings; 4. The shape of authoritarianism in pre-genocide Rwanda; 5. Communicating norms for behaviour; 6. Challenges to the monopoly of legitimate violence; 7. Competition around and within the security sanctum; 8. The political and economic grind; 9. Individual and local trajectories; Conclusion; Bibliography.