State and the Social - State Formation in Botswana Its Precolonial Colonial Genealogies

Zusatztext “This is a wonderful book rich in ethnography and every bit as rich in careful and considered thought. The book is exemplary in its anthropology and demonstrates the continuing value of an anthropological perspective across the disciplines.” · From the Foreword “This is a stimulating book, not only for those interested in Botswana or Southern Africa, but also for those concerned with states, elite formation, and ‘development’ more broadly. The reader will enjoy subtle and insightful discussions about ‘chiefship’, the craft of transforming ‘pre-colonial’ hierarchies into a modern state, the limitations of the concept of ‘patrimonialism’, and the necessity of situating agents and institutions within their particular social, political, and economic histories and contemporary contexts. The book’s analysis is a corrective to simplistic oppositions between ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’ ways, institutions, and so forth." · Social Analysis. The International Journal of Social and Cultural Practice “Gulbrandsen supports his analysis thoroughly and persuasively. In addition, many of his historical and ethnographic examples illuminate particular dynamics of power and social action very effectively... A very important contribution to the study of Botswana, the anthropology of southern Africa, and political anthropology... the overall argument and substantive examples provide enduring importance which will offer much to African Studies specialists and scholars in political and legal anthropology.” · PoLAR: Political and Legal Anthropology Review “Gulbrandsen’s thorough ethnographic knowledge of Botswana is evident in this conceptually rich analysis of state and social processes that have been critical to state formation and consolidation…The author must be highly commended for a thoroughly researched book, which is an invaluable addition to scholarship on issues of political economy and state formation. Last but not least, an average Motswana would find the book hauntingly introspective.” · African Affairs “This is an extremely thoughtful book, full of wise saws and instances, the product of careful reflection after more than thirty-five years of observation…It is difficult to do it justice within a single review. Sometimes the book's allusions may be obscure to readers with no prior knowledge of anthropological literature and/or of Botswana, but [it] is essential reading for any scholar seeking deeper understanding of Botswana culture and society.” · Journal of Southern African Studies “One of the remarkable strengths of this important book is its connecting of these observations with a long-term perspective, tying traditional practices and  institutions into the context of a finely grained analysis that does so much more than simply assert the longevity of tradition.” · Africa Spectrum “The book’s synthesis of existing historical and anthropological scholarship on the state in Botswana alone would constitute a substantial contribution to the study of southern Africa. Gulbrandsen ’ s astute analysis of the cultural and historical specificity of state formation in Botswana, however, transforms this book into an invaluable resource for scholars of state formation in Africa and beyond.” · Anthropos “…this is an enjoyable read and a great contribution to the growing corpus of literature on the political economy of Botswana seen from an anthropological perspective.” · Journal of African History “Gulbrandsen’s book is exemplary. It provides a very rich ethnographic and historical representation of a unique and exceptional state formation in the African context - the relatively democratic and economically successful state for...

Produktdetails

• Autoren: Ornulf Gulbrandsen, Ørnulf Gulbrandsen
• Verlag: BERGHAHN BOOKS, INC
• Sprache: Englisch
• Produktform: Taschenbuch
• Erschienen: 01.10.2013
• EAN: 9781782383253
• ISBN: 978-1-78238-325-3
• Seiten: 364
• Themen: Sozialwissenschaften, Recht,Wirtschaft > Sozialwissenschaften allgemein; Anthropology (General)