Modern Sovereign

This book delves into the concept of power in Central Africa, particularly examining how the body intersects with political and cultural dynamics. Modern Sovereign sheds light on these complex relationships.

The concept of the 'Modern Sovereign' draws heavily from Hobbes’s Leviathan and Marx’s ideas regarding capital. This notion encapsulates the power dynamics that have governed African populations from the onset of colonialism to the present post-colonial context. Joseph Tonda explores how this internalized power manifests as a form of violence that affects both the physical and imaginative realms of individuals. He particularly focuses on Central Africa, with an emphasis on Gabon and the Congo, where the body becomes a central element in political, religious, sexual, economic, and ritualistic domains.

In Modern Sovereign, Tonda argues that the relationship between corporeal and political matters is deeply intertwined, as evidenced by the prominent role of bodies in African societies. The author illustrates how power operates as both a tangible presence and an ethereal influence, weaving together elements such as money, commodities, sexuality, and knowledge. This complex interplay is essential for understanding the nature of sovereignty in the region, where power is not just a top-down phenomenon but a social relation shaped by historical violence and cultural imaginaries.

Tonda's analysis offers a critical perspective on the dynamics of power, suggesting that a comprehensive understanding requires a framework that includes economic, political, and religious fetishism. By bringing this vital discourse from contemporary Africa into the English-speaking world, Modern Sovereign significantly enhances the fields of anthropology, political science, and African studies.