While multiparty elections are now widespread, the promise of democracy has not always lived up to expectations. In Authoritarian Africa, Nic Cheeseman and Jonathan Fisher provide a timely and expert account of the diverse factors that have sustained authoritarianism in Africa from independence to present day. The book's core argument is that to truly understand the persistence of authoritarianism, one needs to look beyond the tactics that help rulers hold on to power, to the conditions that facilitate authoritarian forms of politics to begin with. Cheeseman and Fisher place currency on the lingering impacts of colonialism, as well as the continued involvement of international actors in Africa's domestic politics. Likewise, the book illuminates the often-overlooked role of narratives of political legitimation and the power of ideas. Authoritarian Africa is expertly written and draws on numerous historical and contemporary examples to provide an engaging and illuminating textbook.
A key contribution is the book's ability to balance complex analysis of the diversity of authoritarian politics on the continent within the confines of a highly accessible text. Authoritarian Africa builds on the scholarship in history and political science to highlight the role of state capacity, resource wealth, and international support. This is wedded with a deep appreciation of African history and broad knowledge of specific cases and political figures. The book avoids jargon, and instead clearly explains key terms and makes effective use of contextualising information regarding specific events and individuals. This makes the book appealing to a wide range of readers not necessarily versed in either authoritarian or African politics. The timing of the book cannot be overstated either. As concerns with the state of democracy in Africa (and worldwide) compound, it is imperative to have a widely accessible overview of the nuanced dynamics of authoritarian rule.
In Chapter 1 the authors assert that the fundamental seedling of authoritarianism in Africa was the colonial experience. These arguments are rooted in a specific understanding of colonialism and the challenges of state formation in Africa. Cheeseman and Fisher argue that colonialism was responsible for the elevation of ‘Big Man’ politics, and placed individuals with the daunting task of governing vast territories with little capacity, legitimacy, or firm democratic institutions. The collapse of democracy after independence is therefore seen as a rational response to colonial constraints. Moreover, the nature of post-independence authoritarianism was inherently fragile, which explains why patrimonialism became a key tactic for maintaining political order. Notably, questions of agency during the post-colonial period are downplayed in favour of a more structural account.
Based on this premise, Chapters 2 to 4 make the argument that longer-lasting authoritarian rule in Africa relied on mixtures of resonant ideas, natural resources, and international patronage. The focus on the ideational basis of authoritarianism is particularly interesting. Narratives of liberation, unity, and Africanisation helped legitimise the centralisation of power, although these ideas clearly resonated unevenly. Similarly, accounts of the economic basis of authoritarianism focus on oil-wealth, which draws attention to exceptional cases likes Angola, Chad, and Gabon. The authors argue that in the absence of natural resource wealth, authoritarian regimes could find stable footing by hitching their wagon to international patrons. The authors make clear that in many cases international actors have served to maintain authoritarian regimes, either due to continued colonial interests, Cold War logics, or emerging post 9/11 security perceptions.
Chapter 5 delves into the new reality of ‘electoral authoritarianism.’ Here is where a new study of authoritarianism is particularly apt, since the ambiguity of the multiparty era has never been more pronounced. Modern-day autocrats have adapted to competitive elections by deploying an extensive menu of manipulation. Particularly illuminating, is the return to ideational sources of authoritarian rule, and specifically narratives of ‘developmental authoritarianism.’ Cheeseman and Fisher provide some excellent points of comparison to highlight the outlier status of countries like Uganda and Rwanda with regard to economic and social progress. Moreover, they directly tackle questions of Africa's demand for democracy by stressing ambiguity in the available survey data, but also through careful interrogation of everyday experiences of resistance and adaptation to authoritarianism.
Authoritarian Africa does not claim to be a complete account of Africa's authoritarian experience. Three excluded issues stand out in particular. First, less attention is given to the burgeoning scholarship on the role of institutions. There is now extensive work that demonstrates how ruling parties, legislatures, and judiciaries elongate authoritarianism by smoothing relationships within regimes. Second, the book's sweeping historical perspective at times comes at the expense of contemporary issues. For instance, more could be said about U.S. military support in the challenging security environments of the Sahel or Horn of Africa. Likewise, the evolving and complex role of China is really only discussed in the book's conclusion. Finally, while hinted at throughout the book, the inability of opposition parties to build sustained and cross-ethnic movements is not considered a primary cause of authoritarianism.
In sum, Authoritarian Africa balances accessibility, breadth of coverage, and top-notch scholarship. Importantly, the book makes authoritarianism in Africa a phenomenon that can be explained to students through standard tools of historical analysis and social science. It should serve as an essential textbook and reference for years to come.
