African Politics in Comparative Perspective

Goran Hyden is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Political Science at the University of Florida. His publications include Governance and Politics in Africa (co-edited with Michael Bratton, 1992), Agencies in Foreign Aid (co-edited with Rwekaza Mukandala, 1997), Making Sense of Governance (co-authored with Julius Court and Kenneth Mease, 2004) and Making the State Responsive (co-edited with John Samuel, 2011). He is a past president of the African Studies Association and has served as a consultant on African development to many international agencies.

• 1. The study of politics and Africa; 2. The supremacy of politics; 3. The problematic state; 4. The economy of affection; 5. Big man rule; 6. The policy paradox; 7. The agrarian question; 8. The gender issue; 9. The ethnic factor; 10. The external dimension; 11. What we know and how; 12. Quo vadis Africa?

Review of the first edition: 'A most useful book that could be assigned for both graduate and undergraduate courses on African politics. Highly recommended.' Choice