Political leadership in Africa : leaders and development south of the Sahara / Giovanni Carbone, Alessandro Pellegata.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Carbone, Giovanni, author.

Pellegata, Alessandro, 1981- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political leadership--Africa, Sub-Saharan.

Political leadership.

Africa, Sub-Saharan--Politics and government--1960-.

Africa, Sub-Saharan.

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

xiv, 377 pages : illustrations, map ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2020.

Summary:

"Political leaders took centre stage in African politics and development processes since countries in the region gained independence in the 1960s. Their rising prominence in the post-independence decades mostly went hand in hand with development failures across the continent. A 'leadership trap' emerged that was manifest in two distinct - and apparently contradictory - political syndromes: the long overstay in office of many power-holders and a chronic instability due to the frequency of coups d'état. The ensuing political environment was dominated by a concern to retain political office rather than promote a country's development effectively. Key political reforms began to be adopted in the early 1990s, when most sub-Saharan countries introduced multiparty elections and seemed to find a way towards a more orderly and regular succession of their leaders. But what was the broader impact exerted by the new mechanisms for selecting political leaders on the political stabilization of African states, on the growth of their economies, and on the welfare of ordinary citizens? Drawing on an original Africa Leadership Change (ALC) dataset, the book addresses these issues by empirically investigating the actual bearing of distinct leadership dynamics on development processes across the sub-Saharan region, for the entire 1960-2018 period. It shows how, as Africa changed its leaders and the way they reach power, the new leaders began to change Africa"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Leadership, politics and development

Coming to power and using it: leaders' selection, change and government

The Africa Leadership Change (ALC) dataset

The changing dynamics of African leadership: rulers before and after

When the military strikes

Lessening Africa's 'big men': term limits

Leading for development? (I). Economic growth

Leading for development? (II). Social welfare, state consolidation and corruption control

Autocrats, hegemons, democrats and transients

Leaders to come.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Carbone, Giovanni. Political leadership in Africa.

ISBN:

9781108423731

1108423736

9781108438315

1108438318

OCLC:

1148216513