African Politics -- A Very Short Introduction
The Very Short Introduction Series of Oxford University Press offers readers the opportunity to learn about many things. Ian Taylor's recent work in the series, "African Politics" explores sub-Saharan Africa from the late 1950s when much of the continent achieved independence. With over 50 independent African countries, shown in a table in the book, this short book cannot provide detail on the political history of any individual country, let alone an entire continent. Instead the book offers a broad, informed overview and also explores underlying historical causes. A scholar with extensive experience both studying and working in Africa, Taylor is Professor of International Relations and African Political Economy at the University of St. Andrews.
Taylor defines the subject of politics in Africa and elsewhere as "dictat[ing] who gets what and when". He finds that African politics have been controlled by economics and by underdevelopment, by which he means that the resources of most countries in Africa have not been used for the benefit of the country and its people but rather have been redirected elsewhere. He shows how African politics subsequent to independence has exacerbated underdevelopment. Under a facade of national government, many African leaders have practiced "verandah politics" in which they rule their country corruptly, secretly, and informally for their own benefit and for the benefit of a clique. With independence, African resources continue to be diverted to foreign corporations and countries for the benefit of the local "big man".
Taylor offers a historical explanation for African underdevelopment. He explores the long history of slavery which, among many other things, worked to reduce the African population base by half. Then, Taylor explores the 19th century history of colonization and brutality by many European powers. In many states, the colonization process led to the creation of a small African elite. With the attainment of independence, many of the elite became the rulers and carried on the exploitative practices of the colonialist predecessors.
In successive chapters, Taylor explores African history, the transfers of power upon independence, the frequent politics of corruption and nepotism, and the role of women in African politics. In an interesting chapter, Taylor discounts the role of identity politics -- differences in religious or tribal affiliation -- in Africa. Taylor argues that political issues based on identity are in large fact a consequence of economic factors based on underdevelopment and that the ruling elites use identity as an excuse to keep a poor, subservient population in check. Taylor discusses the military role in many African states which has led to instability due to coups and counter-coups. He finds this has been diminishing in recent years. Taylor also points to recent efforts at democratization in several African countries which he finds have had mixed but on the whole less than full success. In the final chapter of the book Taylor explores who African states relate to the broader international community, particularly to providers of financial assistance, and, most tellingly, to other states within Africa. Again, he finds Africa unfortunately not well situated to make progress.
I was glad to have the opportunity to think about Africa through this book. My interest was piqued by two other books in the Very Short Introduction series which offered broad overviews of Africa from different perspectives. John Parker's and Richard Rathbone's book "African History" covered some of the material of this book with an emphasis on Africa's past and on the difficulties of historiography in studying a vast, diverse continent. Jacob Olupona's book "African Religions" offers a brief introduction both to Christianity and Islam in Africa and to the continued role of many native African religions. These three books offer a fascinating overview of Africa and its history. These three books, and others in the series, show how much there is to be learned in the world and the delights of learning. They also teach about human frailty and shortcomings and about how much remains to be done.
Robin Friedman
