Neopatrimonialism, a system whereby rulers use state resources for personal benefit and to secure the loyalty of clients in the general population, is central to any teaching or conceptualisation of contemporary African politics. This book is a theoretical and comparative study of neopatrimonialism in Africa and across world regions.

Although such practices are widespread in other parts of the world, the African neopatrimonial state has also become a global prototype of the anti-developmental state. This volume calls for a reappraisal of the genesis and interpretations of the concepts of patrimonialism and neopatrimonialism. Expert contributors consider recent debates in Africa through the study of democracy, clientelism, the ‘big man’ syndrome (Kenya), the rise of ‘godfatherism’ (Nigeria), ‘warlordism’ (Liberia) and the neopatrimonial state on a day to day basis (Niger). They discuss patrimonialism and neopatrimonialism from Latin America to Europe, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, to weave a comparative analysis of the interplay between public policies and private interest.

Neopatrimonialism in Africa and Beyond is an important and timely volume that will be of interest to students and scholars of international politics, African studies, sociology and international development.

Neopatrimonialism, a system whereby rulers use state resources for personal benefit and to secure the loyalty of clients in the general population, is central to any teaching or conceptualisation of contemporary African politics. This book is a theoretical and comparative study of neopatrimonialism in Africa and across world regions.

1. Introduction Mamoudou Gazibo  Part 1. Concepts and their relevance  2. Weber’s patrimonial domination and its interpretations Hinnerk Bruhns  3. Patrimonialism and neopatrimonialism: comparative receptions and transcriptions Daniel Bach  4. The model of the political entrepreneur Daniel Compagnon  5. Charles Njonjo: the portrait of a 'big man' in Kenya Jean-Francois Medard  6. Can neopatrimonialism dissolve into democracy? Mamoudou Gazibo  7. Neopatrimonialism and its reinterpretations by development economics Alice Sindzingre  Part 2. New orientations and debates in Africa  8. The path from neopatrimonialism: democracy and clientelism in Africa today Nicolas van de Walle  9. Rebellion and warlordism: the spectre of neopatrimonialism Morten Bøas and Kathleen M. Jennings  10. The origins and meaning of Nigeria’s "Godfatherism" Phenomenon Chris Albin-Lackey  11. Monitoring the neopatrimonial state on a day-to-day basis: politicians, customs officials and traders in Niger Mahaman Tijani Alou  Part 3. Regional transcriptions and interpretations  12. Oligarchy and caciquismo in the Philippines Dominique Caouette  13. Jeitinho and other related phenomena in contemporary Brazil Yves-Andre Faure  14. Neopatrimonialism, patronage and factionalism in post-soviet Uzbekistan Alisher Ikhamov 15. Berlusconismo as a case of "Hybrid neopatrimonialism" Mauro Barisione  16. Clientelism and patrimonialism in international relations: the case of France’s African policy Daniel Bourmaud  17. Conclusion, Neopatrimonial and developmental: the emerging states' syndrome Daniel C. Bach