Reconstituting the State in Africa

The major focus of the book is an examination of the efforts being made by democratizing states in Africa to reconstitute the postcolonial state, so that it can become relevant to the needs and aspirations of the majority of the peoples of Africa. Using seven democratizing states in Africa as case studies, the book specifically examines three major interrelated issues: the multifaceted crises of state building in Africa; the efforts to democratically reconstitute the postcolonial state in Africa; and the proffering of suggestions to help address the challenges posed by the state reconstitution project.

Pita Ogaba Agbese is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for International Security and Conflict Studies at the University of Northern Iowa.  Previously, he served as Acting Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Northern Iowa. He has published extensively on issues such as civil-military relations in Africa, democratization in Africa, civil society in Africa, the environment in Africa, and civil conflicts in Africa. His most recent publication is a co-edited volume with George Klay Kieh, Jr., The Military and Politics in Africa: From Engagement to Democratic and Constitutional Control (2004).George Klay Kieh, Jr. is Professor of Political Science and African Studies at Grand Valley State University, Michigan. He has served as Dean of International Affairs at Grand Valley State University, and as Chair and Professor of Political Science at Morehouse College. He has written extensively on civil conflicts in Africa, the military and politics in Africa, democratization in Africa, African political economy, and American foreign policy.

Preface * Part I: Background * Introduction: Democratizing States and Sate Reconstitution in Africa--Pita Ogaba Agbese and George Klay Kieh, Jr. * Part II: Case Studies * Statecraft in Botswana: Renegotiating Development, Legitimacy, and Authority--Onalenna Selolwane * The State in Cote d’Ivoire: Evolution and Constraints--Boubacar N’Diaye * Re-Inventing and Rebuilding the Ghanaian State: Towards a New Triumphalism?--Emmanuel Kwesi-Aning * Reflections on the State in Kenya--Anne Nagulu-Ayuku * Reconfiguring and Re-inventing State-Society Relations in Mauritius--Sheila Bunwaree * The Imperatives of Reconstructing the State in Nigeria: The Politics of Power, Welfare, and Imperialism in the New Millennium--Sylvester Alubo * The Post-Apartheid State in South--Victoria Maloka * Part III: Prospects for the Future * State Renewal in Africa: The Lessons--Pita Ogaba Agbese & George Klay Kieh, Jr. Part I: Background * Introduction: Democratizing States and Sate Reconstitution in Africa--Pita Ogaba Agbese and George Klay Kieh, Jr. * Part II: Case Studies * Statecraft in Botswana: Renegotiating Development, Legitimacy, and Authority--Onalenna Selolwane * The State in Cote d’Ivoire: Evolution and Constraints--Boubacar N’Diaye * Re-Inventing and Rebuilding the Ghanaian State: Towards a New Triumphalism?--Emmanuel Kwesi-Aning * Reflections on the State in Kenya--Anne Nagulu-Ayuku * Reconfiguring and Re-inventing State-Society Relations in Mauritius--Sheila Bunwaree * The Imperatives of Reconstructing the State in Nigeria: The Politics of Power, Welfare, and Imperialism in the New Millennium--Sylvester Alubo * The Post-Apartheid State in South--Victoria Maloka * Part III: Prospects for the Future * State Renewal in Africa: The Lessons--Pita Ogaba Agbese & George Klay Kieh, Jr.