Political Power in Africa - Einzelansicht

The question of political power is one of the core interests in political science. Unfortunately, the focus on sub-Saharan Africa is less popular. Therefore, this seminar provides an introductory insight into power and state in Africa, combining reflections on the history of the continent and current case studies.

The course will follow the questions: How to analyse political power? What are certain conditions of political power in the African context? Which role played and still plays state formation? What does political power look like in current cases? We want to answer these questions via the study of selected literature, small group activities, group discussions and student’s presentations. In order to gain a sufficient overview of current cases, students will also develop a wiki on moodle.

Previous knowledge about sub-Saharan Africa is not required.

Registration via PULS and Moodle.

Africa south of the Sahara 2009 (38th Edition). Europa Regional Surveys of the World. Routledge, London.
Davidson, Basil (2000): The Black men’s burden, Africa and the curse of the nation-state. Currey Publishers, Oxford.
Herbst, Jeffrey (2000): State and power in Africa, Comparative lessons in authority and control. Princeton University, Princeton/New Jersey.
Hislope, Robert / Mughan, Anthony (2012): Introduction to comparative politics, The state and its challenges. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Hutchinson, John / Smith, Anthony (eds.) (1996): Ethnicity. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Joseph, Richard (eds.) (1999): State, conflict, and democracy in Africa. Rienne Publishers, Boulder/Colorado.

Active and regular participation, excerpt, presentation including handout, wiki-chapter, essay (3.000 words).