African Conflicts and Informal Power (Paperback)

Paperback. In the aftermath of an armed conflict in Africa, the international community both produces and demands from local partners a variety of blueprints for reconstructing state and society. The aim is to re-formalize the state after what is viewed as a period of fragmentation. In reality, African economies and polities are very much informal in character, with informal actors, including so-called Big Men, often using their positions in the formal structure as a means to reach their own goals.Through a variety of in-depth case studies, including the DRC, Sierra Leone and Liberia, this comprehensive volume shows how important informal political and economic networks are in many of the continents conflict areas. Moreover, it demonstrates that without a proper understanding of the impact of these networks, attempts to formalize African states, particularly those emerging from wars, will be in vain. Through a variety of in-depth case studies - from DRC to Somali to Liberia amongst others - this book shows how important informal political and economic networks are in many of the continent's conflict areas. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.…