Bringing together African and international scholars, this book gives an account of the present state of the discipline of political science in Africa - generating insights into its present and future trajectories, and assessing the freedom with which it is practiced.
Tackling subjects including the decolonization of the 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.
Acknowledgements List of Tables List of Figures List of Contributors 1. Political science discipline in Africa: Freedom, relevance, impact Liisa Laakso, Nordic Africa Institute, Sweden 2. Political science and the study of Africa: Mapping the theoretical and conceptual terrain Shadrack Wanjala Nasong’o, Rhodes College, Memphis, USA 3. Political science and development management: Parallel tracks and critical junctures in Africa Göran Hydén, University of Florida, USA 4. Mainstreaming decolonisation in political science in Africa Eghosa E. Osaghae, University of Ibadan, Nigeria 5. What does the decolonial turn for political sciences in Africa entail? And where do we start? Siphamandla Zondi, University of Johannesburg, South Africa 6. A neglected subject: The politics of mourning the (de)humanised Lebohang Motsomotso, University of South Africa, South Africa 7. 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 8. 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 9. Beyond disciplinary polemics? The challenge of informal structures in the study of local political institutions in Africa Matthew Sabbi, Universität Bayreuth, Germany 10.Ethnicity and democracy in Africa: A comparative study of Ghana and Nigeria Maame Adwoa A. Gyekye-Jandoh, University of Ghana, Ghana 11. 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 12. The impact of political science research on teaching political science in Southern Africa Njekwa Mate, University of Zambia, Zambia 13. 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 14. Political scientists as public intellectuals in Africa: Perspectives on relevance Adigun Agbaje, University of Ibadan, Nigeria 15. Political scientists and intellectuals in the political evolution of Cameroon: 1960-2020 Fabien Nkot, Molo Helene Amelie & Isa Adamu, University of Yaounde II, Cameroon 16. 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 17. The politics of political science in Africa: An afterword Siphamandla Zondi, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Liisa Laakso is a senior researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala. Before 2019 she served three years as Rector of the University of Tampere and before that six years as Dean at the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Social Sciences. Siphamandla Zondi joined the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Johannesburg, South Africa after four years as professor in the Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria. He is also a senior research fellow at the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Studies.
Reviews for Political Science in Africa: Freedom, Relevance, Impact
This is a timely study about a discipline that urgently needs introspection. It is even more relevant not because it focuses on Africa but rather because of the lessons the study of political science in Africa bears for a world that seems not to know anymore how to manage political power or to practice democracy. The authors marshal an impressive database that explains the epistemological 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. The pathways for sustainable democratic future are already detectable in Africa and the lessons out of it are a compelling reason why this book is a must read. * 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 current thinking in the discipline. * Cheryl Hendricks, Executive Director, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation *
