States and power in Africa: Comparative lessons in authority and control

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Theories of international relations have struggled to explain state creation in Africa, where power and spatial dynamics differ significantly from Europe. Jeffrey Herbst offers a comparative perspective on the African state-building process, tracing its evolution from the precolonial era, through the brief period of European colonialism, to the modern age of independent states. He provocatively argues that the challenges African state-builders face today existed long before European colonization, challenging the notion that colonialism transformed everything. Herbst highlights the unique difficulties of extending authority over sparsely populated, diverse territories, which have led to devastating wars, millions of refugees, and ineffective governments. By examining the political strategies of various African leaders, he identifies the core dynamics of state development on the continent. His analysis of how these leaders have sought to consolidate power allows for an evaluation of various policy alternatives to address the pressing political challenges that African states confront today.