Description:
This book is a thought-provoking work on South Sudan's state formation and the failures and shocks surrounding its rise, set in contemporary Africa. It details the general and academic understanding of South Sudan's state formation and the many failures and shocks that occurred during its formation, and the hopes that the formation leaves for a better country in the future. The book argues that political parties, political elites, the UN (UNDP & UNMISS), Troika countries, women, youth, and civil society have all contributed in some way to South Sudan's state failure either through institutional deficits or direct intentional influence. However, the book argues for the re-institutional engineering of South Sudan's politics through federalism in the divided society and how that is a hope for South Sudan.The book premises the un-collapse of the South Sudanese State on the resilience of its citizens and their hope for a better tomorrow.
Brief description: Dr. Jacob Dut Chol Riak is a renowned international comparative political scientist and seasoned political Analyst who is an Assistant Professor of International and Comparative Politics and former Head of Department of Political Science, University of Juba. Dr. Riak has researched, published and extensively consulted on democratization and governance, ethnic politics, violence and spiritual mythology, peace building, regional integration, secessions, comparative hydropolitics, politics of petroleum, State building and failure in Africa and institutional design in divided societies.His work has appeared in international peer-reviewed journals. He is the author of "The Birth of States: Successful and Failed Secessions. A comparative Analysis of South Sudan, Somaliland and Western Sahara" published in March 2021. Dr. Riak is a scholar of the Study of U.S. Institutes (SUSI) on American Political Thought.
Review Quotes: Review for South Sudan State Formation: Failures, Shocks and Hopes.Written by Tyler Fleming
The debut non-fiction book from the very successful Dr. Jacob Dut Chol Riak, South Sudan State Formation: Failures, Shocks and Hopes, is a well-researched and informative piece of literature that details the many facets that have helped contribute (or be the detriment of) the development and formation of the South Sudan State. It also details and encompasses the aspects of South Sudanese society that have prevented the country from progressing, as well as the raw tenacity and hope that the citizens have for their home-country. As someone that is not from South Sudan and was completely unaware of the political strife and tension occurring in the state, I found this book extremely insightful and thought-provoking, each chapter increasing my knowledge on the politics and the crises occurring in pre and current South Sudan.
The book is broken down into ten separate and distinct chapters that encompass South Sudan's state formation. Dr. Riak has provided thorough and wonderful context about the historical and modern theories of state formation, giving a fantastic academic background for his discussions on South Sudanese politics, economics, social attributes and militaristic insights. It is clear that Dr. Riak has undertaken a massive amount of research to give his book true authenticity and intelligence. He provides an almost insane number of sources that give credibility to his statements and facts; I trust what he says and explains.
My favourite aspect of this book has to be the obvious passion Dr. Riak has for this topic. From his very informative style of writing to his lengthy analyses of subjects, such as the numerous theories and perspectives he delves into and the role that the Troika countries play in South Sudanese politics, it is clear that Dr. Riak has enjoyed writing and researching this book. There is also a huge emphasis on explaining and elaborating aspects and definitions in the book, which are helpful. In particular, its section dedicated to the numerous abbreviations and acronyms he uses is intricate yet easy to read, and being able to read the book with that information ready is very handy. It is plain to see that Dr. Riak has implemented an overwhelming amount of care for this work, and it shines through.
I also enjoy the topics that he raises in his book. While often bleak and straight-to-the-point about the negative aspects surrounding South Sudan, Dr. Riak also offers glimmers of hope in his writing, showing alternate perspectives often when talking about catastrophic events and battles, such as the 15th December Political Crisis.
Whether you're an outsider to South Sudan who just wants to learn more, or a South Sudanese citizen or researcher who wants to learn about their country, Dr. Riak's South Sudan State Formation: Failures, Shocks and Hopes is an in-depth choice that will help you understand all of the political strife that has occurred, consolidated into a single 400-page book. I believe that it is an essential book to have if you are invested in African politics.