Africa: A Beginner's Guide

by Tom Young

Overview

Vast, diverse, dynamic, and turbulent, the true nature of Africa is often obscured by its poverty-stricken image. In this controversial and gripping guide, Tom Young cuts through the emotional hype to critically analyse the continent's political history and the factors behind its dismal economic performance. Maintaining that colonial influences are often overplayed, Young argues that much blame must lie with African governments themselves and that Western aid can often cause as much harm as good.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781851687534
Publisher:	Oneworld Publications
Publication date:	08/01/2010
Series:	Beginner's Guides
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.96(w) x 5.22(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

Tom Young is Senior Lecturer in Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK. He is the editor of Readings in African Politics.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations vi

Introduction: making sense of Africa ix

1 Africa before colonialism 1

2 Colonial rule and nationalist revolt 25

3 Independent Africa: success and failure 56

4 Conflict, war, and intervention 86

5 Can outsiders change Africa? 116

By way of conclusion 146

Notes 151

Further reading 155

Index 159

Editorial Reviews

"Clear, well written and provocative. Be prepared to have your prejudices challenged."

University of Leeds Ray Bush - Professor of African Studies and Development Politics

"An excellent introduction to Africa. It is not just a well-laid out narrative of what made the continent what it is today, it is a thought-provoking reflection on the arguments that swirl around the image of Africa today."

Richard Dowden - Director of the Royal African Society

"A very useful introduction…highly recommended."

Journal of Modern African Studies

"Informed, challenging and thought-provoking."

Peter Woodward - Professor of Politics