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Through the lens of roadblocks, Schouten offers a unique explanation of what drives conflict and state formation in Central Africa.
List of contents
1. Introduction: Sovereignty on a Shoestring; Part I. A Prehistory of the Roadblock: 2. Hongo Polities (1830-1890); 3. Infrastructural Empire (1890-1960); 4. Ruination and the Revenge of Distance (1960-2000); Part II. Roadblock Politics: 5. La Route, Ca Coute: Roadblock Geographies; 6. The Supply Chain Frontier; 7. CAR: War of Roads; 8. Nonconventional Logistics; 9. Transparency Goes to War; Conclusions; Bibliography.
About the author
Peer Schouten is a Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, Associate Researcher of the International Peace Information Service, and Editor-in-Chief of Theory Talks. His work combines deep fieldwork in Central Africa with theory development and engagement with policy debates.
Summary
Using the roadblock as an entry point, Schouten delves into the turbulent history and ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR), offering a unique approach to what drives state formation and conflict in the region - one revolving around control over movement instead of territory or people.
Additional text
'Based on extraordinary research in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, this is an innovative approach to the study of conflict dynamics in resource-rich areas with roadblocks as alternative financing mechanisms for armed groups. By placing roadblock politics in a comprehensive historical perspective including pre-twentieth century Europe and precolonial Africa, Peer Schouten has made an outstanding contribution to state formation theory.' Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
