New book assesses the freedom and relevance of political science in Africa
Liisa Laakso does research on geopolitics and democratisation in Africa.
What is the state of the discipline of political science in Africa today? With what level of freedom is it practiced at African universities? These are some of the questions asked – and answered – in the new book Political Science in Africa – Freedom, Relevance, Impact.
Liisa Laakso, Senior Researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute, has co-edited the book together with Siphamandla Zondi, Professor at the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Johannesburg.
“We hope the book will be valuable to scholars studying academic research and teaching globally. It also provides insights to policymakers in political development and higher education. And of course to political science and international relations students in Africa and beyond,” says Liisa Laakso.
With contributions from African and international scholars, this book tackles subjects such as the decolonization of the political science discipline, political scientists as public intellectuals, and the teaching of political science. This diverse range of perspectives paints a detailed picture of the impact and relevance of the political science discipline on the continent during the struggles for democratization, and the influence it continues to exert today.
“As co-editor, I am particularly happy that we have such a group of diverse and distinguished political scientists who with their own first-hand experience have been ready to reflect and evaluate the discipline in Africa,” Liisa Laakso concludes.
The launch date of the book is 25 January, but already now you can pre-order a copy through bloomsbury.com
External link, opens in new window.. Bibliographical data about the book can be found in our digital repository Diva External link, opens in new window..
Table of content
The chapters of the book.
- Political science discipline in Africa: Freedom, relevance, impact
Liisa Laakso, Nordic Africa Institute, Sweden - Political science and the study of Africa: Mapping the theoretical and conceptual terrain
Shadrack Wanjala Nasong'o, Rhodes College, Memphis, USA - Political science and development management: Parallel tracks and critical junctures in Africa
Göran Hydén, University of Florida, USA - Mainstreaming decolonisation in political science in Africa
Eghosa E. Osaghae, University of Ibadan, Nigeria - What does the decolonial turn for political sciences in Africa entail? And where do we start?
Siphamandla Zondi, University of Johannesburg, South Africa - A neglected subject: The politics of mourning the (de)humanised
Lebohang Motsomotso, University of South Africa, South Africa - Political science for whom? Reflections on teaching and learning political science in selected African universities
Christopher Isike & Olumuyiwa B. Amao, University of Pretoria, South Africa - Policy studies as a sub-discipline of political science in Africa: Teachings, research trends and professional expertise in Cameroon
Ruth Mireille Manga Edimo, University of Yaounde II, Cameroon - Beyond disciplinary polemics? The challenge of informal structures in the study of local political institutions in Africa
Matthew Sabbi, Universität Bayreuth, Germany - Ethnicity and democracy in Africa: A comparative study of Ghana and Nigeria
Maame Adwoa A. Gyekye-Jandoh, University of Ghana, Ghana - Research on gender, women and politics in Africa: Contributions and innovations
Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso, Brandeis University, USA & Aili Mari Tripp, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA - The impact of political science research on teaching political science in Southern Africa
Njekwa Mate, University of Zambia, Zambia - Use of empirical data in research and teaching of political science in Africa
Olugbemiga S. Afolabi, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria & University of Johannesburg, South Africa - Political scientists as public intellectuals in Africa: Perspectives on relevance
Adigun Agbaje, University of Ibadan, Nigeria - Political scientists and intellectuals in the political evolution of Cameroon: 1960-2020
Fabien Nkot, Molo Helene Amelie & Isa Adamu, University of Yaounde II, Cameroon - A critical review of the state of academic freedom in Ghana's public universities: From pre-independence till the Fourth Republic
Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, University of Ghana, Ghana - The politics of political science in Africa: An afterword
Siphamandla Zondi, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Reviews
“The authors marshal in an impressive database that explains the epistomological grounding of the discipline, shows its contemporary relevance and, seen collectively, they help re-centre the study of political science in a very dynamic continent.”
Godwin R. Murunga, Executive Secretary, CODESRIA
“This book is a powerful compendium of analyses and suggestions for further study that are key to understanding the current state of political science on the continent.”
Nadine Machikou, Deputy President of the African Association of Political Science
“This book is an invitation to the fruitful and ambiguous adventure of political science in Africa. It brings together several national experiences.”
Luc Sindjoun, Former President of the African Association of Political Science
“The book provides a comprehensive overview of how political science in, and about, Africa has contributed to answering the key question about how we should govern ourselves and live together in our policies in line with the current thinking in the discipline.”
Cheryl Hendricks, Executive Director, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, South Africa
More from the same series
Political Science in Africa – Freedom, Relevance, Impact is the latest title in the book series Africa Now, published by the Nordic Africa Institute in collaboration with Bloomsbury. You can find previous titles here
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