Somalia : economy without state / Peter D. Little.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Little, Peter D.

Series:

African issues

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Informal sector (Economics).

Somalia--Economic conditions--1960-.

Somalia.

Economic conditions.

Informal sector (Economics)--Somalia.

Physical Description:

xviii, 206 pages : illustrations, map ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Oxford : International African Institute in association with James Currey ; Bloomington : Indiana University Press ; Hargeisa : Btec Books, 2003.

Summary:

In the wake of the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, a "second" or "informal" economy based on trans-border trade and smuggling is thriving. While focusing primarily on pastoral and agricultural markets, Peter D. Little demonstrates that the Somalis are resilient and opportunistic and that they use their limited resources effectively. While it is true that many Somalis live in the shadow of brutal warlords and lack access to basic health care and education, Little focuses on those who have managed to carve out a productive means of making ends meet under difficult conditions and emphasizes the role of civic culture even when government no longer exists. Exploring questions such as, Does statelessness necessarily mean anarchy and disorder? Do money, international trade, and investment survive without a state? Do pastoralists care about development and social improvement? the book describes the complexity of the Somali situation in the light of international terrorism.

Contents:

Introduction to a stateless economy

A land of livestock

The destruction of rural-urban relations

Tough choices

Boom times in a bust state

Life goes on

Conclusions : Somalia in a wider context

Epilogue : in the aftermath of September 11.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 179-197) and index.

ISBN:

085255866X

0852558651

0253343623

0253216486

OCLC:

52165943