Customer Reviews

African Anarchism: A History and Analysis

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While the anarchist movement isn't that big in Africa, this book shows why that won't be the case in the future. Mbah, who's a journalist and member of the Nigerian Awareness League, begins with a concise overview of anarchist theory. Then the anarchistic basis of African village life is explored. The editors discuss how top-down socialism failed in Africa and analyze how colonialism's legacy still stifles radical politics today. They also describe existing and historical anarchist movements on the African continent, like the syndicalist unions that existed in South Africa in the early 20th century. Excellent book--you won't be disappointed.

Good overview, history, but the book tends to focus on "why socialism failed" and tends to repeat the "anarchists were sold out by X" theme a lot. More interesting from a post-colonial studies perspective, really. Anarchists would benefit most by its arguments/analysis of the postcolonial socialist governments, rather than find any insight into the shape of the anarchist movement in Africa, which is vaguely depicted, at best.

This groundbreaking book covers the topics of anarchism and African traditional societies, the influence of anarchism on African anti-colonial stuggles, the relationship between anarchists and African Marxists, Africa's "angry young generation", the New World Order and Africa, whether or not there is an African form of anarchism, drawbacks to anarchism in Africa, and the possible influence of anarchism on Africa's future development.