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George Mason University
Government 731 Advanced Seminar in Comparative Politics: Politics and the State in SubSaharan Africa, Fall 2011. M, 4:30 – 7:10 p.m., ROBA206,
Professor McFerson,
Office hours M 3-4:00 p.m., or by appointment, ROBA225,
703 993-2961, hmcferso@gmu.edu
Course Description
Please note that schedules and activities are subject to change, if and as needed. All such changes
will be communicated to students on a timely basis.
The focus of the seminar is on governance, politics and development in Sub-Saharan Africa. We
will examine the challenges faced by selected states at different historical periods and in
contemporary times, and the response of various forms of government to these challenges. The
broad timeline includes the pre-colonial state; responses to early European interventions; the
colonial state; and the creation and consolidation of independent states.
Approach
The main topics will be illustrated through lectures, films, class discussions and presentations.
As a seminar, each student will be responsible for choosing a county which to study, following
the broad timeline of developments in the pre-colonial state; the impact of colonial policy and
the colonial legacy; contemporary legitimacy, and the role of the state in conflict management,
resource exploitation, and socio-economic development.
Required books
In Mason bookstore:
Curtis Keim, Mistaking Africa.
Amartya Sen, Development As Freedom
Robert H. Bates, When Things Fell Apart: State Failure in Late-Century Africa.
Pierre Englebert, Africa: Unity, Sovereignty & Sorrow.
Jeffrey Herbst, States and Power in Africa: Comparative Lessons in Authority and Control.
Alex Thomson, An Introduction to African Politics. Third edition.
At Amazon.com
Mahmood Mamdani, 1996, Citizen and Subject. Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late
Colonialism. Princeton University Press.
Larry F. Diamond, Marc F. Plattner, 2010. Democratization in Africa: Progress And
Retreat. Johns Hopkins. Second edition.
Required articles (Online)
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Hazel M. McFerson, “Developments In African Governance since the Cold War: Beyond
Cassandra and Pollyanna”. African Studies Review, Vol. 53, No. 2, September 2010
Michael Bratton and Eric C. C. Chang, “State Building and Democratization in SubSaharan Africa; Forwards, Backwards, or Together?”, Comparative Political
Studies. Vol. 39 No. 6, November 2006
Rod Alence, Political institutions and developmental governance in sub-Saharan Africa.
Journal of Modern African Studies, 42, 2 (2004), pp. 163-187.
Pierre Englebert, “Pre-colonial Institutions, Post-colonial States, and Economic
Development in Tropical Africa”, Political Research Quarterly, March 2000,
53:7-36.
Pierre Englebert and Denis M. Tull Postconflict Reconstruction in Africa: Flawed Ideas
about Failed States International Security Vol. 32, No. 4 (Spring, 2008), pp. 106139
Michael Bratton and Robert Mattes, “Support for Democracy in Africa Intrinsic or
Instrumental?” Afrobarometer Paper No. 1. Please look at other papers in this
series for your term paper topic.
Michael Crowder, 1987, “whose dream was it anyway? Twenty-five years of African
Independence”, African Affairs, 86, (1987), 7-24.Zibani Maundeni, 2002, “State Culture
and Development in Botswana and Zimbabwe”,
The Journal of Modern African
Studies.Vol. 40, No. 1 (Mar. (pp. 105-132).Nii Lante Wallace-Bruce, 1985, “Africa and
International Law - The Emergence to
Statehood”,Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol
23, No 4, December
Samir Amin, 1972,“Underdevelopment and Dependence in Black Africa—Origins and
Contemporary forms”. Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 10, No. 4, Dec.
(pp. 503-524).
Theoda Skocpol, “Bringing the State Back In” Kristof Titeca and Tom deHerdt, 2011,
“Real
governance beyond the ‘failed state’:
Negotiating education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”, African Affairs,
Vol. 110, iss. 349, pp. 213-231.
Esther Mokuwa, etal, 2011, “Peasant grievance and insurgency in Sierra Leone: Judicial
serdfdom as a driver of conflict”, African Affairs, Vol. 110, iss. 440, pp.339-366.
Richard Banegas, 2011, “Post-election crisis in Cote d’Ivoire: the gbonhi war”, African
Affairs, Vol. 110, iss. 440, pp. 457-468.
NB: Each student is responsible for putting together a reading list for the country of his/her
choice in addition to the required readings listed above. Advice on the reading list will be
provided by the instructor
Videos to be shown in class:
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War Against Women
World of ideas: Chinua Achebe
Lost Kingdoms
Queen Victoria’s empire
King Leopold’s Ghost
White King, red rubber, black death
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Lumumba: la mort du prophete
Course requirements:
There will be no mid-term or final exams. Two five-page essays and a major research paper will
be required. The final version of the paper will be due the last day of class on December 5, but a
15-minute presentation of the main issues will be made orally in class. Research paper topics will
be chosen in consultation with the instructor, and must be approved in advance. Papers must
reference at least four required syllabus readings in addition to titles specific to the research. A
written outline of the term paper topic, with an annotated bibliography must be submitted to the
instructor for comments and prior approval, and the outline, including the instructor’s comments,
must be attached to the final paper. Failure to attach the outline will result in the paper being
marked down by half a grade. Information will be handed out on the format of the outline and
the required format for writing the research paper.
The essays and the research paper are to be submitted double-spaced in 12-point font, with
standard margins.
Deadlines will not be relaxed without sufficient and documented reason, failing which; 5% of the
grade will be deducted for each late day.
Grading is on the basis of the following:
1. One five-page essay on the significance of pre-colonial governance in a country of the
student’s choice, focusing on a major ethnic group (e.g. Ibo, Baganda, etc.,), before the
demarcation of colonial borders at the Conference of Berlin in 1885. (15%,).
2. One five-page essay on democracy and colonialism, (15%) 15-minute oral presentation on
the student’s research project (20%. Dates will be assigned in class on a student sign-up
sheet).
3. One research paper, 25-30 pages (50%.)
For each of the topics, students should become familiar with the relevant information on their
country of choice, and will be called upon at random to contribute their expertise to the class
discussions.
Attendance is required unless instructor permission is given in advance
Honor System and Code
At the beginning of each semester, faculty members have the responsibility of explaining to their
classes their policy regarding the Honor Code. They must also explain the extent to which aid, if
any, is permitted on academic work.
The complete Honor Code is as follows:
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To promote a stronger sense of mutual responsibility, respect, trust, and fairness among all
members of the George Mason University community and with the desire for greater academic
and personal achievement, we, the student members of the university community, have set forth
this honor code: Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to
cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to academic work. (Web: honorcode.gmu.edu)
Classroom Decorum will be maintained. This consists of addressing in a civil manner
classmates and the instructor. Although diversity of opinion is valued in an academic setting, and
disagreements are part of the intellectual debate, rudeness is not accepted, and politeness and
civility will be maintained. Rude, threatening and challenging behavior directed to the instructor
or to classmates will be promptly reported to the department chair. No cell phones or texting in
class.
Student Learning Goals
1. Acquire factual knowledge about politics and government, to include an understanding of
different types of political systems, including the theoretical bases, the institutions and
processes, the role of the citizenry, and the major public policy issues on the agenda.
Students will also develop an understanding of the international political system and the
interaction of states.
2. Develop an understanding of the intellectual roots and varied models of democracy as a
form of government, and an appreciation of the importance of citizen participation in
democracy.
3. Increase the level of student engagement in the political world.
4. Improve analytical skills, especially with respect to assessing the quality of empirical
evidence.
5. Improve writing skills.
Important dates:
September 12
October 3
October 10
October 17
November 23-27
November 14-Dec 5
December 5
First essay due
Research paper outline due
Columbus Day recess Monday classes meet Tuesday
Second essay due
Thanksgiving recess
Research paper oral presentations
Last day of classes; final research paper due
Schedule
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Week 1: August 29: Course Overview/introduction; instructor discussion; Thomson
Introduction and chapter; film: Lost Kingdoms. Read ahead for following
week: Theoda Skocpol, “Bringing the State Back In”; Curtis Keim, Mistaking
Africa. Student assigned discussion of films and readings sign-up
sheet handed out for week 3.
Week 2: September 5: Labor Day
Week 3: September 12: State & Society; video World of ideas: Chinua Achebe.
Students assigned discussion of film and reading; sign-up sheet handed out for
readings/discussions and for Thomson, chapters 3,4,5,6,7; next week student
presentations on governance in pre-colonial states, sign-up. Note:
anthropological studies often focus on pre-colonial states; check JSTOR or
consult with instructor for sources.
Week 4: Sept. 19: State & Society Thomson, chapters 7, 8, 10,11, conclusions (student
led discussions of assigned chapter and sign-up. Video: Queen Victoria’s
empire. Begin Jeffrey Herbst, States and Power in Africa: Comparative
Lessons in Authority and Control. Read for next week: Introduction, chapters 1,
2,3,4.
Week 5 Sept. 26 State & Society. Finish Herbst; Rod Alence, “Political institutions and
developmental governance in sub-Saharan Africa”. Journal of Modern African
Studies, 42, 2 (2004), pp. 163-187.
Nii Lante Wallace-Bruce, 1985, “Africa and International Law - The
Emergence to Statehood”, The Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 23, No.
4 (Dec.), pp. 575-602.
Samir Amin, 1972,“Underdevelopment and Dependence in Black Africa—
Origins and Contemporary Forms”. Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 10,
No. 4, Dec. (pp. 503-524).
Pierre Englebert, “Pre-colonial Institutions, Post-colonial States, and Economic
Development in Tropical Africa”, Political Research Quarterly, March 2000,
Pierre Englebert and Denis M. Tull Post-conflict Reconstruction in Africa:
Flawed Ideas about Failed States International Security
Vol. 32, No. 4 (Spring, 2008), pp. 106-139
Discussion with professor on term paper topics; outline
due next week.
Week 6: Oct. 3 Term paper outline due. The State & Society; Video: King
Leopold’s Ghost. Read: Mahmood Mamdani, 1996, Citizen and Subject.
Contemporary Africa and The Legacy of Late Colonialism. Princeton University
Press.
Week 7: Oct. 17: Resource Management, Democracy and Citizenship. Film” White King,
red rubber, black death”; Second essay due.
read: Hazel M. McFerson, “Developments In African Governance since the Cold
War: Beyond Cassandra and Pollyanna”. African Studies Review, Vol. 53, No. 2,
September 2010;
Kristof Titeca and Tom deHerdt, 2011, “Real governance beyond the ‘failed
state’: Negotiating education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”,
African Affairs Vol. 110, iss. 349, pp. 213-231.
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Week 8:
Week 9:
Week 10:
Week 11:
Week 12:
Week 13:
Week 14:
Week 15:
Esther Mokuwa, etal, 2011, “Peasant grievance and insurgency in Sierra Leone:
Judicial serdfdom as a driver of conflict”, African Affairs, Vol. 110, iss. 440,
pp.339-366;
Michael Bratton and Robert Mattes, “Support for Democracy in Africa Intrinsic
or Instrumental”? Afrobarometer Paper No. 1. (Note: Please look at other
papers in this series for ideas to use in your term paper.)
Oct. 24, Democratization in Africa. Video: Lumumba la mort du prophete.
Read: Larry Diamond, Marc F. Plattner, Democratization in Africa, entire
book. Student oral presentations dates sign up.
October 31. Politics and the African State. Video: War Against Women. Read:
Pierre Englebert, Africa: Unity, Sovereignty & Sorrow.
Amartya Sen, Development As Freedom
Nov. 7 State failure and the narco state. Read Robert H. Bates, When Things
Fell Apart: State Failure in Late-Century Africa. Evolution of the narco-state.
Nov. 14 Research paper presentations
Nov. 21 Research paper presentations
Nov. 28 Research paper presentations
Dec. 5 Last day of classes. Research papers due.
Additional Resources
To keep up with events, the following resources are recommended
Websites:
• news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/default.stm
• allafrica.com
• africanews.org
• Africa news (LexisNexis) columbia.edu/cgi-bin/cul/resolve?clio3324754
In addition, you can sign up for the United Nations IRIN (http://www.irinnews.org/) news
bulletins for Africa here: http://www.irinnews.org/subscriptions/subslogin.asp. these will give you
regular feeds of news on the continent as soon as it comes in.
Radio stations;
• http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/radio.html
• http://allafrica.com/partners/bbc/ (Direct link to focus on Africa:
http://allafrica.com/partners/bbc/focus_on_africa.ram)
• http://allafrica.com/partners/rfi/en_rfi.html (RFI )
• http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/africa/cuvl/
Other portals for information on Africa include:
• http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/AS.html
• http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/guide.html
• http://www.worldbank.org/afr/
• http://www.afrika.no/
• http://www.africaonline.com/site/
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• http://worldviews.igc.org/awpguide/
• Country Pages: http://www.africa.upenn.edu//Home_Page/Country.html
Many academic journals writing on Africa are available on-line and Mason has first-rate sources and
access to the following sources.
• Africa (1992-); Africa Confidential; Africa Insight; Africa Recovery (UN);
• Africa Research Bulletin (Political)
• African Studies Review (1970-99;
• Africa Today
• African Affairs
• African Studies Quarterly
• The Journal of Modern African Studies
• Journal of African Economies
• Review of African Political Economy
Also see, online:
The Economist. 13 May 2000. The Heart of the Matter
Robert D. Kaplan. 1994. “The Coming Anarchy,” in: The Atlantic Monthly. 273, 2
February. http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/foreign/anarchy.htm
Oyekan Owomoyela.. 1994. “With Friends like These… A Critique of Pervasive Anti-Africanisms in
Current African Studies Epistemology and Methodology,” African Studies Review. 37(3): 77-101.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=00020206%28199412%2937%3A3%3C77%3AWFLTAC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-V
Crawford Young. 2002. “Deciphering Disorder in Africa: Is Identity the Key?” World Politics,
54/4: 532-57. http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/world_politics/v054/54.4young.pdf
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