'This landmark work presents a searching and persuasive political explanation of Africa's failure to achieve development despite two decades of externally imposed economic reform … A major contribution to our understanding of Africa's political economy.' Foreign Affairs

• Introduction; 1. Approaches to Africa's permanent crisis; 2. Patterns in economic reform implementation, 1979–99; 3. Decision making in post-colonial Africa; 4. Understanding state responses to the crisis; 5. The crisis and foreign aid; 6. Democratization and the prospects for change; 7. Conclusion.

'This landmark work presents a searching and persuasive political explanation of Africa's failure to achieve development despite two decades of externally imposed economic reform … A major contribution to our understanding of Africa's political economy.' Foreign Affairs

• Introduction; 1. Approaches to Africa's permanent crisis; 2. Patterns in economic reform implementation, 1979–99; 3. Decision making in post-colonial Africa; 4. Understanding state responses to the crisis; 5. The crisis and foreign aid; 6. Democratization and the prospects for change; 7. Conclusion.

'This landmark work presents a searching and persuasive political explanation of Africa's failure to achieve development despite two decades of externally imposed economic reform … A major contribution to our understanding of Africa's political economy.' Foreign Affairs

• Introduction; 1. Approaches to Africa's permanent crisis; 2. Patterns in economic reform implementation, 1979–99; 3. Decision making in post-colonial Africa; 4. Understanding state responses to the crisis; 5. The crisis and foreign aid; 6. Democratization and the prospects for change; 7. Conclusion.