The revolutionary potential of African peasantries: some tentative remarks

Much has been written on African peasantries in general and on 'peasant wars' in Africa in particular, and yet there is a remarkable gap in the existing literature. On the one hand, literature on peasant wars in general tends to ignore Africa South of the Sahara; on the other hand, none of the studies of specific African peasantries have probed their material in the light of the more general debates. The present paper tries to remedy this anomalous situation. It first discusses two general theories on the revolutionary potential of different categories of peasants, viz. the theory developed by H. Alavi (1965) and E.R. Wolf (1973) and that proposed by J.M. Paige (1975). It then examines these theories in light of some examples of peasant unrest from Africa, notably Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Chad, Madagascar, Angola, and Kenya. The analysis suggests that neither theory is able to account for all the cases examined.ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

Religious innovation in modern African society: introduction

Brief elucidation of the diverse contributions to a special issue of "African Perspectives" concerning religious innovation in modern African society. RefASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

Stability or democracy: on the role of monitors, media and miracles

This book brings together studies on the broad theme of elections and democratization in Africa since roughly 1989. It is based on a seminar held in The Netherlands in February 1997, and includes chapters on both electoral processes, especially the role of foreign observers therein, and the historical and sociocultural backgrounds or contexts of democratization, elections and political legitimacy. Part 1 deals with elections and election observation in Africa in general (contributions by O. van Cranenburgh, S. Ellis, I. van Kessel, B. de Gaay Fortman). Part 2 consists of country studies (M. Doornbos on Uganda, D. Foeken en T. Dietz on Kenya, J. Abbink on Ethiopia, R. van Dijk on Malawi, R. Buijtenhuijs on Chad, and M.-F. Lange on Mali). Part 3 includes a chapter that reflects the discussions held at the seminar between observers, academics and policymakers in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (W. van Binsbergen en J. Abbink); a review of Dutch policies on election observation in Africa during the period 1992-1997 (O. van Cranenburgh); and a discussion of the 1997 general elections in Kenya, where a new approach of election observation was introduced (M. Rutten).ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

How ethnic are African parties really? Evidence from Francophone Africa

Though African party systems are said to be ethnic, there is little evidence for this claim. The few empirical studies rarely rely on individual data and are biased in favour of Anglophone Africa. This paper looks at four Francophone countries, drawing on representative survey polls. Results reveal that ethnicity matters, but that its impact is generally rather weak and differs with regard to party systems and individual parties. ‘Ethnic parties’ in the strict sense are virtually absent. In particular, the voters’ location seems more important than ethnic affiliation. Other determinants such as regional ties, elite strategies, cross-cutting cleavages, and rational preferences deserve more attention in the future study of voting behaviour in Africa

Introduction: Rethinking democratization and election observation

This book brings together studies on the broad theme of elections and democratization in Africa since roughly 1989. It is based on a seminar held in The Netherlands in February 1997, and includes chapters on both electoral processes, especially the role of foreign observers therein, and the historical and sociocultural backgrounds or contexts of democratization, elections and political legitimacy. Part 1 deals with elections and election observation in Africa in general (contributions by O. van Cranenburgh, S. Ellis, I. van Kessel, B. de Gaay Fortman). Part 2 consists of country studies (M. Doornbos on Uganda, D. Foeken en T. Dietz on Kenya, J. Abbink on Ethiopia, R. van Dijk on Malawi, R. Buijtenhuijs on Chad, and M.-F. Lange on Mali). Part 3 includes a chapter that reflects the discussions held at the seminar between observers, academics and policymakers in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (W. van Binsbergen en J. Abbink); a review of Dutch policies on election observation in Africa during the period 1992-1997 (O. van Cranenburgh); and a discussion of the 1997 general elections in Kenya, where a new approach of election observation was introduced (M. Rutten)ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

Secret worlds, democratization and election observation in Malawi

ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

The revolutionary potential of African peasantries: some tentative remarks

Much has been written on African peasantries in general and on 'peasant wars' in Africa in particular, and yet there is a remarkable gap in the existing literature. On the one hand, literature on peasant wars in general tends to ignore Africa South of the Sahara; on the other hand, none of the studies of specific African peasantries have probed their material in the light of the more general debates. The present paper tries to remedy this anomalous situation. It first discusses two general theories on the revolutionary potential of different categories of peasants, viz. the theory developed by H. Alavi (1965) and E.R. Wolf (1973) and that proposed by J.M. Paige (1975). It then examines these theories in light of some examples of peasant unrest from Africa, notably Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Chad, Madagascar, Angola, and Kenya. The analysis suggests that neither theory is able to account for all the cases examined.</p

Essays on Mau Mau: contributions to Mau Mau historiography

Presuming reader familiarity with general works on Kenyan history and Kikuyu society, and more particularly with Mau Mau 'classics' such as Rosberg and Nottingham's 'The myth of Mau Mau' (New York, Praeger, 1966) and Barnett and Njama's 'Mau Mau from within' (New York, Monthly Review Press, 1966), the author here aims not so much to present a new, comprehensive study of Mau Mau, but rather to take stock of and to evaluate the progress made in Mau Mau studies during the last ten years. Focus is above all on points that have raised controversy or publications that carry new "discoveries" (facts as well as hypotheses). Successive chapters of the report, which in the words of the author "should be considered as a series of articles loosely held together rather than as a well-constructed book", deal with Mau Mau recruitment, Mau Mau organisation, the meaning of Mau Mau in terms of respectively cultural renewal, anti-colonialism, and civil war, and the Kiambu enigma. The final chapter indicates possible leads for comparison with the 1947-Madagascar war and the UPC insurrections in Cameroon.ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

Essays on Mau Mau: contributions to Mau Mau historiography

Presuming reader familiarity with general works on Kenyan history and Kikuyu society, and more particularly with Mau Mau 'classics' such as Rosberg and Nottingham's 'The myth of Mau Mau' (New York, Praeger, 1966) and Barnett and Njama's 'Mau Mau from within' (New York, Monthly Review Press, 1966), the author here aims not so much to present a new, comprehensive study of Mau Mau, but rather to take stock of and to evaluate the progress made in Mau Mau studies during the last ten years. Focus is above all on points that have raised controversy or publications that carry new "discoveries" (facts as well as hypotheses). Successive chapters of the report, which in the words of the author "should be considered as a series of articles loosely held together rather than as a well-constructed book", deal with Mau Mau recruitment, Mau Mau organisation, the meaning of Mau Mau in terms of respectively cultural renewal, anti-colonialism, and civil war, and the Kiambu enigma. The final chapter indicates possible leads for comparison with the 1947-Madagascar war and the UPC insurrections in Cameroon.</p

Démocratisation en Afrique au sud du Sahara (1989-1992): un aperçu de la littérature

Ce rapport présente un aperçu de la littérature sur la démocratisation en Afrique au sud du Sahara (1989-1992). D'abord, les auteurs évoquent un certain nombre de traits dominants de la vie politique en Afrique qui forment l'arrière-plan nécessaire à comprendre les changements actuels concernant la démocratisation. Ensuite ils résument le débat scientifique sur la démocratie en Afrique dans la période 1960-1989, qui a ses racines dans les mouvements d'indépendance et se concentre sur l'échec des modèles Westminster/Élysée. Ils décrivent les arguments tels qu'ils ont été employés pour légitimer l'État à parti unique et, finalement, l'État sans parti. Au cours des années 70 on s'inquiéta de la répression grandissante et de l'évolution stagnante dans les pays africains. Ce n'est qu'au cours des années 80 que l'attention se tourna vers la société civile. Dans le contexte économique et politique radicalement changé à la fin des années 80, on attache une plus grande valeur à la démocratie. La question fondamentale de savoir si la démocratie est un concept universel ou purement occidental, et les différentes définitions de la démocratie, ont conduit à des discussions sur l'État et la société civile, la fonction du multipartisme dans la démocratisation, "good governance", la démocratie et le droit et la démocratie et le développement. Finalement, les auteurs font le bilan du processus de démocratisation actuel en Afrique. ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde