Abstract
This paper critically engages dominant understandings of African state (in)capacity, particularly notions of state ‘failure’, ‘fragility’ and ‘weakness’. Drawing from Ali Al’amin Mazrui’s delineations of latent, imminent, and active instability, it is argued that the contemporary ‘Westphalian’ international system and the nation-state are characterised by latent-imminent instability. Using Zimbabwe as a case study, it is argued that it is neither a weak, fragile or failed state. Rather, it is a strong unstable state and thus, highlights the need to reconceptualise democracy in Africa.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 217-233 |
Journal | Journal of Pan African Studies: an international medium of African culture and consciousness |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2017 |
Event | Africa: Moving the Boundaries: 39th African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific (AFSAAP) Annual Conference - University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia Duration: 5 Dec 2016 → 7 Dec 2016 Conference number: 39 http://afsaap.org.au/conference/perth-2016/ |