This Malian case study joins an expanding body of literature that challenges prevailing state-centred and institutional approaches to both political authority and legitimacy. In contrast with... Show moreThis Malian case study joins an expanding body of literature that challenges prevailing state-centred and institutional approaches to both political authority and legitimacy. In contrast with classical representations of the state as the hierarchically supreme institutional locus of political authority in society, a heterarchical political order gradually emerged in Mali. The state increasingly operated as one of the institutions amongst many non-state equals involved in the exercise of public authority and performance of key statehood functions. The first part of this thesis reveals that the Malian state increasingly relied on non-state actors to counter recurrent security threats. The core part of this case study demonstrates that prominent democratic institutions have not enhanced Malian state legitimacy as expected from their official mandates and in ways predicted by theory. Quite to the contrary, the democratic structure seems to have actually weakened the position of the state vis-à-vis non-state power poles in Mali’s heterarchical context. Show less
Since the mid-eighties, Cameron has been going through a serious economic crisis. In the same years it has witnessed the proliferation and flourishing of Pentecostal groups-most of them coming in... Show moreSince the mid-eighties, Cameron has been going through a serious economic crisis. In the same years it has witnessed the proliferation and flourishing of Pentecostal groups-most of them coming in from Nigeria and with a gospel of prosperity as opposed to the gospel of asceticism of classical Pentecostalism. Earlier Pentecostal groups, which had adopted asceticism, are shifting to this new gospel. The rise and spread of Pentecostalism during this period of the crisis, coupled with the mass defection from the established churches could be interpreted as a public sign of dissatisfaction by Christians with the way the established churches have gone about addressing the spiritual and material needs of their followers. As a strategy of not loosing members to Pentecostal groups, mainline churches are gradually adopting the attractive doctrines and practices of Pentecostal groups. Within this period, Cameroon has also been going through a difficult democratization process, which most observers and the public attribute to government__s reluctance to introduce genuine democratic institutions. Mainline churches have been at the forefront of efforts to see a truly democratic society take root in Cameroon. While these churches are making this contribution, Pentecostal churches maintain a more or less neutral position on political issues. Show less
Based on a study in Nakuru town, Kenya, this volume deals with the multi-spatial (or multi-local) livelihoods of households with livelihood sources in different localities. It focuses in... Show moreBased on a study in Nakuru town, Kenya, this volume deals with the multi-spatial (or multi-local) livelihoods of households with livelihood sources in different localities. It focuses in particular on the rural livelihood sources of urban households. To cope with the adverse economic effects of increasing unemployment, the escalating cost of living and decreasing purchasing power, households - both poor and rich - are having to diversify their sources of income. A large majority of Nakuru households now appear to have a rural livelihood source, usually for food. Another coping strategy witnessed in Nakuru town is the sending of some urban household members to live at the rural home. Generally speaking, urban households that engage in rural farming (multi-spatial livelihoods) and have access to a source of food for their household are more favourably placed regarding their food situation than households without a foothold in the rural areas (mono-spatial livelihoods). Linkages between urban and rural households are essential to an urban household's ability to survive, especially for poor urban households that are more vulnerable to economic stress and shocks than the non-poor. Contrary to the situation a few decades ago, those living in rural areas are no longer only the recipients of goods and services from the urban areas but have become important contributors to the livelihoods of relatives in urban areas Show less
Deze studie beschrijft een politiek-historisch proces en vormt een bijdrage aan de systematische studie van internationale territoriale conflicten vanuit het gezichtspunt van de politieke... Show moreDeze studie beschrijft een politiek-historisch proces en vormt een bijdrage aan de systematische studie van internationale territoriale conflicten vanuit het gezichtspunt van de politieke geografie. Tevens worden aspecten van het Europese imperialisme van de late 19e eeuw nader verklaard. De conflicten tussen Frankrijk en de Association Internationale du Congo (AIC) en tussen Portugal en de AIC over de opdeling van Centraal-Afrika, een proces dat plaatsvond in de periode 1875-1885, dienen als voorbeelden. Het boek bestaat uit drie delen. In deel 1 komen de theoretische en methodologische aspecten aan de orde. Deel 2 bestaat uit de case-study. Hoofdstuk 3 behelst de beleidsbepaling. De hoofdstukken 4, 5 en 6 behandelen de beleidsuitvoering van de factoren die rechtstreeks bij de territoriale conflicten betrokken waren: Leopold II, Frankrijk en Portugal. In hoofdstuk 7 staat de conflictoplossing centraal. Deel 3 bestaat uit ‚‚n hoofdstuk. Eerst wordt nagegaan in hoeverre de theorie‰n van toepassing zijn op dit onderdeel van de opdeling van Afrika. De conclusie is dat ze meer zeggen over de afloop van dit stukje opdelingsgeschiedenis dan over het ontstaan ervan. Die afloop betreft het gehele proces van de opdeling van Centraal-Afrika, en wordt geanalyseerd met behulp van de begrippen en modellen uit hoofdstuk 2. Show less
In the first part of this essay the development of the study of African history is sketched, and the historical studies written by professional African historians from 1955 to 1972-3 are analysed.... Show moreIn the first part of this essay the development of the study of African history is sketched, and the historical studies written by professional African historians from 1955 to 1972-3 are analysed. Special attention is paid to the manisfestoes of the 1960s, programmatical declarations of what African history should be and how it should be written. Part two traces in detail what historical studis were actually produced in the fifteen years that followed independence in one particular West African country, Nigeria Show less
Focuses upon social interaction patterns in the Housing Estate of Kitale (Kenya). The inhabitants of this low income Housing Estate are sensitive to the same kind of spatial characteristics of... Show moreFocuses upon social interaction patterns in the Housing Estate of Kitale (Kenya). The inhabitants of this low income Housing Estate are sensitive to the same kind of spatial characteristics of housing as are people living under similar conditions in other societies. Both their economic and housing circumstances impose a strain on daily life. The inhabitants react to these circumstances by developing patterns of expectations and behaviour vis-…-vis their neighbours which resemble those of their counterparts elsewhere, despite the cultural and economic differences between societies Show less
