The State in Africa: The Politics of the Belly, 2nd Edition

"A masterpiece in Africanist literature."
Corruption and Reform

"Every now and then, something comes along which changes the way in which we think about our subject. Such a book is Jean-Francois Bayart's The State in Africa."
African Affairs

"This book should be read by all those (whether scholars or not) who are seriously concerned with understanding post-colonial African politics. Here, at last, is a book which goes beyond facile generalizations and intellectual or cultural prejudice, which respects rather than demeans Africa. The State in Africa is without doubt one of the most challenging books on contemporary Africa to have appeared in the last few years."
International Affairs