Table of Contents

Introduction. Contexts, Subtexts, And Pretexts. The Physical and Human Contexts of Politics. The Colonial Context. Political Life and Institutions, 1944-1960. Political Cultures. Ideology and Political Style. Ethnicity, Religion, and Politics. Structures, Processes, And Power. Experiments in Power, 1958-2003. ""Redemocratization."" Rulers and Leaders. In the Shadow of the State. Connections. Francophone Africa in the Global Arena. Is There a Future for Francophone Africa? Appendix. Basic Political Data on the Fourteen States.

Reviews

A masterly analysis.... Le Vine not only provides important insight into the politics of some very understudied countires, but also makes a highly persuasive case for recognizing what is distinctive about the political experiences of those countries with a French colonial background. - Leonardo VillaIon; ""An exceptionally well-informed perspective on one of the most intriguing 'regions' of the continent."" - James F. Barnes