POLSCI 329S Chapter Notes - Chapter All: Jeffrey Herbst, Authoritarianism, European Cooperation In Science And Technology
11 May 2018
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Politics of Violence 9.13.16 Reading Notes
States and Power in Africa – Jeffrey Herbst
Chapter 1: The Challenge of State Building in Africa
Scramble for Africa – Berlin Conference
Colonial powers did not intend to establish a power infrastructure
o Established capitals that catered to the health and logistical needs of the European powers
– near the coast
o Could not extend power effectively inland
o Ex: Lagos of Nigeria, Accra of Ghana
Center-periphery divide: After independence, nationalists prioritized the urban and neglected
the rural
o State-allocated resources were distributed among urban
o State intervention/aid in the lives of peasants very minimal, if at all
Postcolonial political struggle
o Political elites wish to distribute their power evenly across territory, even the rural areas
o Peasants wish to preserve realm of authority to make decisions about their lives
Late 1970s – long economic crisis
o Negatively impacted government revenue decreased ability for government to project
power
o Tax collectors and transportation infrastructure in general not working in rural areas
▪ Undermines the legitimacy of central government
o Armies in decline because of shrinking budgets and international pressure to demobilize
1990s: wave of democratization
o Protests against authoritarianism were largely in urban areas
o Emergence of political parties who also did not have roots in rural areas
o Did not alleviate center-periphery divide
The most important difference between Africa and Europe is their tradition of war
o Pre-colonial Africa – purpose of war was to collect people and treasure, not to conquer land
o Europeans had to use tremendous resources to wage war developed ties with
conquered lands
During colonial and independence periods, there was no war no external incentive for
governments to consolidate power and authority in face of external competition
Consequently, African leaders had to use other strategies to exert control over their territories
State consolidation is influenced by three things:
o Cost of expansion
o Nature of buffer mechanisms
o Nature of regional state system
COSTS
o The cost calculations for African leaders to consolidate power are important
o Cost differs from region to region
BOUNDARIES
o Politics of boundaries – attempts by states to mediate pressures from the international
system through the use of buffer mechanisms to maximize their authority over territory
o Lower costs by installing boundary institutions and insulating them from economic and
political threats, while enhancing power of the center
o Territorial boundaries are traditionally seen as a weakness in African politics – arbitrarily
drawn by European powers
o HOWEVER, Herbst argues that the opposite is the case
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
States and power in africa jeffrey herbst. Chapter 1: the challenge of state building in africa. Colonial powers did not intend to establish a power infrastructure. Near the coast: could not extend power effectively inland, ex: lagos of nigeria, accra of ghana, established capitals that catered to the health and logistical needs of the european powers. Center-periphery divide: after independence, nationalists prioritized the urban and neglected the rural: state-allocated resources were distributed among urban, state intervention/aid in the lives of peasants very minimal, if at all. Late 1970s long economic crisis power: tax collectors and transportation infrastructure in general not working in rural areas, undermines the legitimacy of central government, armies in decline because of shrinking budgets and international pressure to demobilize. 1990s: wave of democratization: protests against authoritarianism were largely in urban areas, emergence of political parties who also did not have roots in rural areas, did not alleviate center-periphery divide.
