State and Society

The course focuses on the African state and the relationship between state and civil society. The course has a broad social science approach, with an emphasis on theory. The course presents and discusses central perspectives on the African state and shows how these have changed with shifting political trends. A great emphasis will be put on developing independent, critical understanding of the theories, partly by contrasting the different theoretical perspectives and partly through the empirical material. The political systems in the Horn of Africa will be given special attention.

The student will gain a good overview of modern African social theory, with a main focus on the role of the state in the development process, theories on neo-patrimonialism and personal rule, social inequality, collapse of the state, legitimacy, and the possibility for democracy. The student should be able to discuss different theories critically, and to present theoretical and empirical knowledge, both written and orally.

Lectures and group work. The main topics are presented in the lectures. Through group work the students will work more with these topics. The groups are also an arena for giving response to the compulsory exercise.