Description: Using historical and anthropological analysis, this book examines the changing characteristics of nations globally; nation-building in Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia; and the history of multi-culturalism in the Global South as an advantage to development in post-colonial conceptions of the nation.
Review Quotes:
"A brilliant translation of an original book that will continue to provoke the set of initial conversations, while retaining the permanence of the arguments of the African nation state, and the applicability of notions on state, nation and culture. This is a gem." --Toyin Falola, Extraordinary Professor of Human Rights, The University of the Free State
"In this ambitious book, Bondarenko masterfully draws on perspectives from anthropology, history, and political science to examine the ways that postcolonial states have attempted, in a remarkably short period of time, to become nations. Drawing on his field experience in three neighboring African countries, he deftly and insightfully analyzes how their different precolonial and colonial pasts along with the decisions of postcolonial political leaders have generated contrasting trajectories, some more successful than others, of nation building. This should be essential reading for scholars and students of the new nations of Asia and Africa." --Robert Launay, Northwestern University