State-Building In Africa: An Attempt at a Critical Survey of the Problems (original) (raw)

This essay critically surveys the state-building problems in Africa, contrasting them with European experiences. It discusses the historical absence of interstate warfare in Africa and its impact on the development of effective state structures, as posited by Jeffrey Herbst. The text examines the implications of globalization and technology on Africa's future, questioning assumptions about the universality of the European and American political models. It reflects on the potential for new forms of governance to emerge in Africa, moving beyond traditional expectations rooted in colonial legacies.