Theories of international relations, assumed to be universally applicable, have failed to explain the creation of states in Africa. There, the interaction of power and space is dramatically different from what occurred in Europe. In his ground-breaking book, Jeffrey Herbst places the African state-building process in a truly comparative perspective, examining the problem of state consolidation from the precolonial period, through the short but intense interlude of European colonialism, to the modern era of independent states. Herbst's bold contention - that the conditions now facing African state-builders existed long before European penetration of the continent - is sure to provoke controversy, for it runs counter to the prevailing assumption that colonialism changed everything. In identifying how the African state-building process differs from the European experience, Herbst addresses the fundamental problem confronting African leaders: how to extend authority over sparsely settled lands. Indeed, efforts to exert control over vast, inhospitable territories of low population density and varied environmental and geographical zones have resulted in devastating wars, millions of refugees, and dysfunctional governments perpetrating destructive policies. Detailing the precise political calculations of distinct African leaders, Herbst isolates the basic dynamics of African state development. In analyzing how these leaders have attempted to consolidate power, he is able to evaluate a variety of policy alternatives for dealing with the fundamental political challenges facing African states today.
發表於2025-01-24
States and Power in Africa 2025 pdf epub mobi 電子書 下載
圖書標籤: 政治學 比較政治 非洲 國傢建設 政治 非洲研究 politics OperationUranus
practice of politics這門課目前為止讀過最喜歡的一本,邏輯很清晰,最難能可貴的是對於民主沒有浪漫過頭的幻想,對非歐洲文化抱著努力去理解的意圖。與同一周另一本讀物,why nations fail,形成鮮明對比。 後者戴著強烈西方視角濾鏡,試圖以政體不同占據一切國傢間行為的永恒道德製高點,口吻極度elitist且以白人世界為中心,談到韓國某位獨裁者,以欣慰的口吻說,'the Harvard-Princeton educated... Syngman Rhee',衝這一句都想給負分。
評分practice of politics這門課目前為止讀過最喜歡的一本,邏輯很清晰,最難能可貴的是對於民主沒有浪漫過頭的幻想,對非歐洲文化抱著努力去理解的意圖。與同一周另一本讀物,why nations fail,形成鮮明對比。 後者戴著強烈西方視角濾鏡,試圖以政體不同占據一切國傢間行為的永恒道德製高點,口吻極度elitist且以白人世界為中心,談到韓國某位獨裁者,以欣慰的口吻說,'the Harvard-Princeton educated... Syngman Rhee',衝這一句都想給負分。
評分PE Core
評分大膽魄力與聰明想法兼具,“西方中心”曆史機製極簡化卻又極關注同樣動力在異世界的展開,結閤版圖地理、公路網與人口分布分析權力投射一章堪稱技巧典範,吐槽國關自戀死守國際體係拒絕比較政治深得某心。從歐陸模型抽取三大國傢形成動力(權力投射成本、邊界穩固度、國際體係狀況)反照非洲狀況:多樣地理狀況與高度地理區隔造成人口分散,曆史上部落中心區與邊緣,現代首都與都會區、城鄉區隔嚴重,少數有幸人口相對從中心嚮邊緣遞減國傢有更好權力投射條件;史上邊界模糊不定,歐洲殖民者自沿海嚮內地擴張並引入邊界體係後穩定邊界成為後殖民國傢維持管治樹立國傢身份利器,但過分穩定邊界既衝擊族群紐帶和國傢與部落關係,又加強抱殘守缺,樹立國民身份努力並未同步。國際體係與獨立進程同步,相對和平減少衝突,卻減少戰爭倒逼國傢機器強化之效能。
評分校長就是好呀~~行文流暢清晰易懂=3=
States and Power in Africa 2025 pdf epub mobi 電子書 下載