Africa Works: Disorder as Political Instrument

TLDR

The paper situates African politics within a context of transitions, continuities, and the illusion of civil society elites. It aims to examine how informal politics, traditional identities, and economic failure create a moral economy of corruption that shapes African development. The authors analyze the interplay of identity, witchcraft, religion, warlords, and violence with corruption and dependence to explain the political use of disorder. The study concludes that disorder is strategically employed as a political instrument, establishing a new paradigm for African governance.

Abstract

Introduction - transitions and continuities - the question of analysis. Part 1 The informalization of politics: whither the state? the illusions of civil society recycled elites. Part 2 The re-traditionalization of society: of masks and men - the question of identity the use and abuse of the irrational - witchcraft and religion warlords bosses and thugs - the profits of violence. Part 3 The productivity of economic failure: the moral economy of corruption the bounties of dependence what if Africa refused to develop?. Conclusion - a new paradigm - the political instrumentalization of disorder.