African states are not, in any real sense, capitalist states. Elsewhere, the state has played a crucial role in facilitating capitalist expansion, but in postcolonial Africa one finds a form of neopatrimonialism - personal rule - that introduces a variety of economic irrationalities. Productive economic activities are impeded by the political instability, systemic corruption and maladminstration associated with personal rule. In extreme cases, a downward spiral of political-economic decline is set in motion that is difficult to halt and reverse. Is personal rule simply a euphemism for...

With the waning of the Cold War, the major political powers are no longer constrained to support African authoritarianism. All over Africa democratic experiments have sprung up. But can they survive, and are they compatible with renewed economic growth? Richard Sandbrook answers these questions and assesses the feasibility of the new political program in reinforcing Africa's economic recovery. He argues that the program has merit in the short term, but in the longer term, a more self-reliant, state-directed approach should be adopted to ensure prosperity and durable democracy.

With the waning of the Cold War, the major political powers are no longer constrained to support African authoritarianism. All over Africa democratic experiments have sprung up. But can they survive, and are they compatible with renewed economic growth? Richard Sandbrook answers these questions and assesses the feasibility of the new political program in reinforcing Africa's economic recovery. He argues that the program has merit in the short term, but in the longer term, a more self-reliant, state-directed approach should be adopted to ensure prosperity and durable democracy.

Peter Kelvin and Joanna Jarrett examine the effects of unemployment identified by research conducted since the 1930s.

This 1985 book surveys the literature on labor migration in east, west and southern Africa and interprets it from a political economy perspective.

This 1989 book examines in direct and clear language the major arguments about the basic nature of Africa's rural crisis.

This 1988 analysis argues that reducing inequality requires democratising political participation as well as economic control.

This 1988 book provides an analysis of African capitalism which offers a positive view of its role.