Do political leaders matter for development in Africa? Political leaders south of the Sahara have taken centre stage since countries in the region gained independence in the 1960s, yet a 'leadership trap' soon emerged with power-holders overstaying in office and chronic instability caused by coups resulting in decades of disappointing developmental performances. The beginnings of change are found in political reforms of the early 1990s, with many sub-Saharan countries introducing multiparty elections and an increasingly regular succession of leaders. But what impact did the new mechanisms for selecting leaders have on the political stabilization of African states, on the growth of their economies, and on the welfare of ordinary citizens? Drawing on a new dataset called the Africa Leadership Change (ALC), this innovative analysis of political leadership in Africa investigates the distinct leadership dynamics of development processes across the region from 1960 to 2018, revealing how, as Africa began to change its leaders and the way they reach power, these new leaders themselves began to change Africa.

An innovative analysis of political leadership in Africa between 1960 and 2018, drawing on an entirely new dataset.

About the Author
Giovanni Carbone is Professor of Political Science at the Universita degli Studi di Milano and Head of the Africa Programme at ISPI (Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale). His research focuses on the comparative study of politics, geopolitics and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. He has been the Principal Investigator of a European Research Council (ERC) funded research project and is the author of articles in journals including Governance, Journal of Development Studies and Journal of Modern African Studies. Alessandro Pellegata is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Universita degli Studi di Milano where his research is based within the field of comparative politics. He is the author of several articles in journals including European Political Science Review and Journal of European Public Policy. In 2011 he was awarded the Santoro Prize for the best paper presented by a young scholar at the Societa Italiana di Scienza Politica (SISP) Annual Congress.

Reviews
'The end of the Cold War set off a worldwide wave of democratization whose effects are still being catalogued and analyzed. How have Africa's new arrangements for choosing rulers, checking their power, and removing them by the will of the majority worked out? This study is sure to be the go-to source for answers to these questions, analyzing how the acquisition and distribution of power has evolved under Africa's new multiparty regimes - the accompanying online database is an invaluable resource for students and scholars wanting to gather additional facts on particular African rulers.' Arthur A. Goldsmith, Emeritus Professor, University of Massachusetts, Boston
'Carbone and Pellegata provide a powerful study on how leaders impact the success and failures of their countries in sub-Saharan Africa and how they reach power influences their behaviour and what they do too. Political Leadership in Africa is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the impact of leadership on democracy and development in sub-Saharan Africa today.' Alex Vines, Coventry University and Head of the Africa Programme, Chatham House
'... empirically accomplished, well-researched study ... this is an extremely impressive scholarly work ... Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students and faculty. General readers.' C. E. Welch, Choice
'... a significant achievement.' Kai M. Thaler, Journal of Interdisciplinary History



Book Information
ISBN 9781108438315
Author Giovanni Carbone
Format Paperback
Page Count 390
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 560g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 151mm * 20mm