Political Topographies of the African State: Territorial Authority and Institutional Choice

TLDR

The study is framed within broader theories of political development in agrarian societies. The study investigates how political regionalism in Africa influences government forms, democracy, and development prospects. The authors conduct a multi‑country, macro‑sociological case‑study analysis of Senegal, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire from 1930 to present, integrating choice‑theoretic political science perspectives. The book situates African political development within mainstream agrarian state‑formation scholarship. The book is relevant to scholars of comparative politics, African development, regionalism, federalism, and ethnic politics.

Abstract

Catherine Boone examines political regionalism in Africa and how it affects forms of government, and prospects for democracy and development. Boone's study is set within the context of larger theories of political development in agrarian societies. It features a series of compelling case studies that focus on regions within Senegal, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire and ranges from 1930 to the present. The book will be of interest to readers concerned with comparative politics, Africa, development, regionalism and federalism, and ethnic politics. Multi-country study of politics and political development in Africa. Book places African political development in the mainstream of studies of state-formation in agrarian studies. Study combines macrosociology with choice-theoretic perspectives in Political Science.