Grasping Africa : A Tale of Tragedy and Achievement

"Africa is huge, internationally vital, potentially rich and powerful yet mired in failure - political, economic, social and even cultural. Yet the story of contemporary Africa is not just one of global tragedy but also of enormous hope for the future. This stimulating and unconventional book on Africa today and its relationship with the West explores the many complex reasons behind Africa's failure to fulfil its potential - it is a continent blighted by colonialism, exploitation and the interference of great powers in the international relations of the region - and offers some genuinely original and well-argued suggestions for ways forward. Critical and objective yet involved and sympathetic, "Grasping Africa" demonstrates Stephen Chan's deep understanding of the history and politics of Africa based on his long experience of the continent in often dangerous circumstances."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Africa Is Huge, Internationally Vital, Potentially Rich And Powerful Yet Mired In Failure - Political, Economic, Social And Even Cultural. Yet The Story Of Contemporary Africa Is Not Just One Of Global Tragedy But Also Of Enormous Hope For The Future. This Unconventional Book On Africa Today And Its Relationship With The West Explores The Many Complex Reasons Behind Africa's Failure To Fulfil Its Potential - It Is A Continent Blighted By Colonialism, Exploitation And The Interference Of Great Powers In The International Relations Of The Region - And Offers Some Genuinely Original And Well-argued Suggestions For Ways Forward.--book Jacket. 1. Prologue To Ambiguity : A Countdown -- 2. Corruption -- 3. Ethnicity -- 4. Dictatorship And Democracy -- 5. Endless Disease -- 6. The Inhibition Of An Economic Africa -- 7. Looking Backwards Or Inventing Forwards? : The Vexed Condition Of Culture And Tradition In Africa -- 8. Coming Through Shit : The Lone Trek Of The Citizen Towards The Future -- App. 1. Endless Chimurenga : The War Without End In Zimbabwe -- App. 2. Alice Who Almost Became The Witch President Of Uganda. Stephen Chan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 172-176) And Index. Africa is huge, internationally vital, potentially rich and powerful yet mired in failure - political, economic, social and even cultural. Yet the story of contemporary Africa is not just one of global tragedy but also of enormous hope for the future. This stimulating and unconventional book on today's Africa and its relationship with the West explores the many complex reasons behind Africa's failure to fulfil its potential -- for example, colonialism, exploitation, and the interference ofgreat powers in the international relations of the continent -- and offers some very reasonable and well-founded suggestions for ways forward. Critical and objective yet involved and sympathetic, Grasping Africa demonstrates Stephen Chan's deep understanding of the history and politics of Africa based on his long and often dangerously-obtained experience of the continent There are 53 countries in Africa, all states or claiming to be states.