Neoliberal bandwagonism : civil society and the politics of belonging in Anglophone Cameroon / Piet Konings.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Konings, Piet.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civil society--Cameroon.

Civil society.

Group identity--Cameroon.

Group identity.

Ethnic relations.

Cameroon--Ethnic relations.

Cameroon.

Cameroon--Social conditions--1960-.

Social conditions.

Cameroon--Politics and government--1960-.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

xi, 261 pages : map ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon : Langaa ; Leiden, The Netherlands : African Studies Centre, [2009]

Summary:

While neoliberals typically view civil society organizations as vital channels for the implementation of economic and political reforms, they are also inclined to blame the politics of belonging for the poor record of these reforms. Piet Konings rejects such notions and argues that the relationship between civil society and the politics of belonging is more complex in Africa than Western donors and scholars are inclined to admit. He argues that ethno-regional associations and movements are more significant constituents of civil society in Africa than the conventional organizations that are often uncritically imposed or endorsed. He shows how the politics of belonging, so pervasive in Cameroon, and indeed much of Africa, during the current neoliberal economic and political reforms, has tended to penetrate the entire range of associational life, and he calls for a critical re-appraisal of prevalent notions and assumptions about civil society in the interest of African reality.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [239]-253) and index.

ISBN:

9789956558230

9956558230

OCLC:

466334173

Publisher Number:

99939060482