Big African States: Angola, DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan [Paperback]

Christopher Clapham (Editor), Jeffrey Herbst (Editor), Greg Mills (Editor)

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Witwatersrand University Press (March 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1868144259
• ISBN-13: 978-1868144259
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #869,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > History > Africa > Angola
  • #58 in Books > History > Africa > Nigeria
  • #95 in Books > History > Africa > Ethiopia

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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars unfortunate case studies, May 6, 2007

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Big African States: Angola, DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan (Paperback)

7 large countries are studied here. Angola, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa. The reason for doing so is as a response to another idea. That much of Africa's troubles are exacerbated by the many small countries within Africa. So, as the idea goes, a small nation is more suspectible to failed policies. While a large country, especially those considered by the text, has more chances and resources to get things right.

The choice of which countries to look at is pretty clear. South Africa and Nigeria are the two largest economies, by far. All those nations in the book are in the top five in population or area or both. Only South Africa can be considered a success story. Being at peace with itself. Actually, the book does not downplay the severe economic disparities within South Africa, as a legacy of apartheid. But at least there is no gripping armed unrest inside the country. Which is more than can be said for Sudan, for example. Nor is South Africa at conflict with its neighbours, unlike Ethiopia facing Eritrea and invading Somalia.

Generally, the book shows that a large African country has large problems. Often brought about by its sheer size and the diversity of its peoples. Worsened by endemic poverty and a continued strong population growth. Which often leads to millions of idle, underemployed and disaffected people. Plus corrupt national governments, that are often affiliated with one ethnicity. Add these and you get a nation like Sudan or Congo.