Neopatrimonialism in Africa and Beyond

'There is simply no other work of similar scope on this essential topic for comparative politics. This exhaustive volume simultaneously takes stock and pushes forward. It enlightens the reader on the origins of the concept and its past uses, while also offering new theoretical contributions, critical assessments of its usefulness within and beyond Africa, and original empirical applications.' - Pierre Englebert, Pomona College

'A highly appropriate and masterly presentation of the conceptual and theoretical richness of neopatrimonialism that rightly corrects its traditional confinement to Africa and demonstrates its relevance to other political contexts including democratic Western polities.' - Helge Hveem, University of Oslo

'This book without doubt elevates the theoretical and comparative study of neo patrimonialism in Africa to new heights and demonstrates that the concept is not unique to Africa. The comparativist approach which the book adopts enriches our understanding of the concept. After carefully spelling out what patrimonialism and neo patrimonialism mean in the diverse regions of the world from Africa to Asian, Latin America and Asian-Pacific, the authors examine the implications of the use of the term and show that even in parts of the world where the term has not been used similar practices exist. Anyone who reads, the book will be left with the clear understanding of meaning, application, and implications of the politics of patrimonialism and neo-patrimonialism in the world. It is a brilliant book that is must read for all those working to strengthen and consolidate democracy in new democracies throughout the world.' - Muna Ndulo, Professor of Law, Cornell University Law School and Director Cornell’s Institute for African Development.

'This very welcome book reincorporates the study of ‘neopatrimonialism’ – in recent years heavily oriented towards the understanding of African politics – back into the conceptual and comparative framework of analysis from which it originated. In the process, it both helps to rectify the all too common perception of the uniqueness of Africa’s political trajectories, and illuminates the complex relationships between neopatrimonialism and recent pressures for political and economic transformation, both in Africa and elsewhere. In so doing, it provides a fitting tribute to, and reflection on, the work of Jean-François Médard, from which so much of our awareness of neopatrimonial politics derives.' - Christopher Clapham, University of Cambridge

'The concept of neopatrimonialism has been widely accepted since the 1970s as a characterisation of the generality of African states, condemned by both history and culture to be anti-developmental. This volume is a welcome and timely critique of this approach, focusing on two major themes: the necessity to differentiate between positive and negative types of neopatrimonial states, some of which are quite capable of sustaining successful development, and the importance of taking the concept out of its Africanist ghetto and applying it comparatively across all regions of the globe including Europe. The contributors are a line-up of outstanding and well-known scholars writing on countries or regions they know well, and the whole enterprise is well-framed by Bach’s comparative typology of ‘regulated’ versus ‘predatory’ neopatrimonialism . This is an essential collection for all those concerned with the politics of development in its broadest sense.' - Richard Crook, Institute of Development Studies, Brighton.

"This is a useful addition to the canon of literature on neopatrimonialism. The theory section provides a useful reminder of how the term first emerged from Weber’s analysis, was subsequently adopted and refined for the specific regions subjected to that analysis, and the more recent ways in which research has reframed and asked new questions of neopatrimonialism... The editors have worked hard to ensure there is a logical flow throughout the collection rather than a set of disparate, loosely connected chapters... It seeks to widen the frame of reference [on neopatrimonialism], and raises interesting and important questions."-Dr Michael Jennings; e-International Relations (2012).