 | ISBN: 978-1-58826-555-5 $59.95 | |
| 2008/309 pages | ||
Clark explores a series of logical hypotheses regarding why democracy failed to take root in Congo, moving from political culture to economic performance, ethnoregional identities, French foreign policy, the role of militias, and institutional design. He also discusses the country's present "electoral authoritarian" regime. His conclusions shed light not only on the nature of Congolese politics, but also on the utility of the scientific approach to understanding the social world.
“In seeking answers to a single, not-so-simple question—why has Congo’s democratic experiment since the 1990s failed?—Clark sets a high standard for qualitative social science research into structural and agency dynamics.... Highly recommended.”—Choice
"Clark provides one of the most detailed and theoretically informed accounts of recent Congolese politics of any that can be found. He also brings a welcome new realism to the study of democracy."—William S. Reno, Northwestern University
"This valuable study not only chronicles one of the most interesting examples of 'democratic failure' in Africa, but also provides insight into the politics of one of the less well known, but strategically important, African states."—Victor T. Le Vine, Washington University in St. Louis