Politics in Francophone Africa

"A fresh and sweeping survey of ... the fourteen countries of Francophone Africa. An excellent book."—Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, African Studies Review

"A masterful examination of much neglected Francophone countries of West Africa.... Both erudite and accessible."—Richard Peck, Africa Today

"Magisterial in analytic reach and encyclopedic in coverage.... Highly recommended."—Choice

"An exceptionally well-informed perspective on one of the most intriguing regions of the continent."—James F. Barnes, Appalachian State University

"A masterly analysis.... Le Vine not only provides important insight into the politics of some very understudied countries, but also makes a highly persuasive case for recognizing what is distinctive about the political experiences of those countries with a French colonial background." —Leonardo Villalon, University of Florida

• Introduction.
• CONTEXTS.
• The Physical and Human Contexts of Politics.
• The Colonial Context.
• Political Life and Institutions, 1944-1960.
• SOCIETY AND POLITICS. Ideology and Political Style: The Uneasy Marriage of Thought and Action.
• Ethnicity, Religion, and National Politics.
• STRUCTURES, PROCESSES, AND POWER.
• Experiments in Power, 1958-2003.
• "Redemocratization."
• Rulers and Leaders.
• In the Shadow of the State: The Domain of Nonformal Politics.
• CONNECTIONS.
• Francophone Africa in the Global Arena.
• Basic Political Data on the Fourteen States.