How Africa Works (Hardback)
Success and Failure on the World's Last Developmental Frontier
Preorder from
A radical reassessment of one of the most pervading myths of our time: that the African continent is uniquely ill-suited to economic development
The birth of new nations, independent democracies, the unprecedented growth of cities from Lagos to Cairo; the African continent is booming. So why do myths about underdevelopment, unproductive land and overpopulation remain?
In a groundbreaking new study of Africa's developmental history, economist Joe Studwell debunks long-held views about the continent's presumed resistance to growth, charting monumental changes in government, demography and asset management.
Considering everything from settler colonialism to soil conditions, mineral extractivism to disease development and eradication, Studwell persuasively argues that the seizing back of land, people and states across Africa, has also been the seizure of mass economic development.
From slavery to independence and beyond, this is the definitive account of the world's second largest continent - and an optimistic look to its future.
How Africa Works (Ebook)
Success and Failure on the World's Last Developmental Frontier
Preorder from
A radical reassessment of one of the most pervading myths of our time: that the African continent is uniquely ill-suited to economic development
The birth of new nations, independent democracies, the unprecedented growth of cities from Lagos to Cairo; the African continent is booming. So why do myths about underdevelopment, unproductive land and overpopulation remain?
In a groundbreaking new study of Africa's developmental history, economist Joe Studwell debunks long-held views about the continent's presumed resistance to growth, charting monumental changes in government, demography and asset management.
Considering everything from settler colonialism to soil conditions, mineral extractivism to disease development and eradication, Studwell persuasively argues that the seizing back of land, people and states across Africa, has also been the seizure of mass economic development.
From slavery to independence and beyond, this is the definitive account of the world's second largest continent - and an optimistic look to its future.
Reviews for How Africa Works
Bill Gates
Justin Yifu Lin, Former Chief Economist, World Bank
Andrew Mitchell, former Minister for Development
Professor Dani Rodrik, Harvard University
Antoinette Handley, Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto
Jakkie Cilliers, Chairman of the Institute of Security Studies, South Africa
Clare Short, former Secretary of State for International Development
Justin Yifu Lin, former Chief Economist, World Bank
Joe Studwell
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