Markets and States in Tropical Africa

Following independence, most countries in Africa sought to develop, but their governments pursued policies that actually undermined their rural economies. This book provides a preface and chapter that address the seeds of Africa's recovery and discuss the significance of the continent's success for the arguments of this classic work. Most Africans live in rural areas and derive their incomes from farming; but because African governments follow policies that are adverse to most farmers' interests, these countries fail to produce enough food to feed their populations. Markets and States in Tropical Africa analyzes these and other paradoxical features of development in modern Africa and explores how governments have intervened and diverted resources from farmers to other sectors of society. A classic of the field since its publication in 1981, this edition includes a new preface and chapter.