1st Edition

The Political Economy of Africa

Edited By Vishnu Padayachee Copyright 2010
    456 Pages 24 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    454 Pages 24 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    The Political Economy of Africa addresses the real possibilities for African development in the coming decades when seen in the light of the continent’s economic performance over the last half-century. This involves an effort to emancipate our thinking from the grip of western economic models that have often ignored Africa’s diversity in their rush to peddle simple nostrums of dubious merit.

    The book addresses the seemingly intractable economic problems of the African continent, and traces their origins. It also brings out the instances of successful economic change, and the possibilities for economic revival and renewal. As well as surveying the variety of contemporary situations, the text will provide readers with a firm grasp of the historical background to the topic. It explores issues such as:

    • employment and poverty
    • social policy and security
    • structural adjustment programs and neo-liberal globalization
    • majority rule and democratization
    • taxation and resource mobilization.

    It contains a selection of country specific case studies from a range of international contributors, many of whom have lived and worked in Africa. The book will be of particular interest to higher level students in political economy, development studies, area studies (Africa) and economics in general. 

    1. Introducing the African Economy Vishnu Padayachee and Keith Hart  Part 1: African Political Economy in Overview  2. The African Tragedy: International and National Roots Peter Lawrence  3. The Social Context of African Economic Growth 1960-2008 Bill Freund  4. From the Political Economy of Development to Development Economics: Implications for Africa Ben Fine  Part 2: Analytical Perspectives on Africa  5. Agro-Pessimism, Capitalism and Agrarian Change: Trajectories and Contradictions in Sub-Saharan Africa Carlos Oya  6. The Political Economy of Taxation and Resource Mobilisation in Sub-Saharan Africa Jonathan di John  7. Africa's Revolving Door: External Borrowing and Capital Flight in Sub-Saharan Africa James Boyce and Leonce Ndikumana  8. The Political Economy of Social Policy and Social Security in Sub-Saharan Africa Stephen Devereux and Francie Lund  9. Aid, Development and the State in Africa Carlos Oya and Nicolas Pons-Vignon  10.  Employment, Poverty and Inclusive Development in Africa: Policy Choices in the Context of Widespread Informality James Heintz  11. Street Trading in Africa: Demographic Trends, Planning and Trader Organization Caroline Skinner  12. Africa and the ‘Second New Economy’: How Can Africa Benefit from ICT’s for a Sustainable Socio-Economic Development? Nicolas Pejout  Part 3: African Case Studies  13. Agricultural Policy in Africa – Renewal or Status Quo? A Spotlight on Kenya and Senegal Ward Anseeuw  14. Liberalisation, State Intervention and the Demise of Industrial Development in Mozambique Alex Warren-Rodriquez  15. Local Democracy, Clientelism and the (Re)Politicization of Urban Governance in African Cities: Reflexions from Johannesburg Stories Claire Benit-Gbaffou  16. Many Conflicts, One Peace: The Congo Economy and Global Security Zoe Marriage  17. Mbimbos, Zvipamuzis and Primitive Accumulation in Zimbabwe’s Violent Mineral Economy: Crisis, Chaos and the State David Moore and Showers Mawowa  18. Good Governance and Growth in Africa: What Can We Learn from Tanzania Hazel Gray and Mustaq Khan  19. Management of the CFA Franc in West Africa: From an Imposed Extroversion to Chosen Extroversion Kako Nubukpo  Part 4: New Directions  20. Africa’s Urban Revolution and the Informal Economy Keith Hart  21. Impacts and Challenges of a Growing Relationship between China and Sub-Saharan Africa Raphie Kaplinsky, Mike Morris and Dorothy McCormick  22. South Africa in Africa: From National Capitalism to Regional Integration Keith Hart and Vishnu Padayachee

    Biography

    Vishnu Padayachee is Senior Professor and Head of the School of Development Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

    This volume will be a valuable addition to all libraries with a serious focus on African development - CHOICE