Poly sci
What is Herbst's central argument about African state-building? Low population density and difficult geography made it costly for rulers to project authority over large territories.
What is the center-periphery divide? The gap between stronger government control in capitals and weaker control in distant rural regions.
Why does low population density make state-building expensive? Governments must provide roads, administration, security, and services across large distances for relatively few people.
How did European state formation differ from African state formation according to Herbst? Territorial competition and warfare pushed European rulers to build taxation, armies, and stronger administrative institutions.
What is urban bias? Government policies disproportionately favor city residents while neglecting rural populations.
What were many colonial African capital cities designed to serve? Colonial administration, trade, and transport links to Europe rather than integrated inland development.
What is neocolonialism? Continuing economic, cultural, or political dependency after formal independence.
What is the conflict trap? Poverty raises the risk of civil war, while civil war deepens poverty and makes future conflict more likely.
Which economic conditions does Collier associate with civil-war risk? Low income, slow or negative growth, and dependence on primary commodity exports.
What is the relationship between poverty and civil war in Collier? It runs both ways: low income increases war risk, and war reduces income.
What was British indirect rule? Governing through existing or appointed local chiefs and authorities under British oversight.
What were warrant chiefs? Local authorities appointed or empowered by British colonial officials, sometimes without traditional legitimacy.
What was the 1929 Women's War in Nigeria? Large protests against colonial authority, warrant chiefs, and feared taxation of women.
What was French assimilation? A colonial policy encouraging Africans to adopt French language, culture, and institutions, with unequal access to citizenship.
What was French direct rule? Centralized administration in which French authorities governed colonial territories through a hierarchy of officials.
What was the indigénat? A discriminatory colonial legal regime that subjected many French colonial subjects to special restrictions and penalties.
What was Belgian paternalism? Colonial governance through Belgian administrators, businesses, and the Catholic Church with limited African political participation.
How did Belgium limit political advancement? It restricted higher education and opportunities for Africans to gain political and administrative authority.
What characterized Portuguese colonial rule? Claims of assimilation combined with coercive labor, extraction, limited education, and prolonged colonial domination.
What happened at the Berlin Conference of 1884â1885? European powers established rules for colonial territorial claims in Africa without African representatives.
What colonial practices were especially damaging? Forced labor, economic extraction, political exclusion, disruption of local authority, and imposed borders.
Does democracy guarantee economic growth? No. Growth also depends on effective institutions, stability, accountability, and economic policy.
What is the difference between democracy and state capacity? Democracy concerns political participation and accountability; state capacity is the government's ability to implement policy and provide order and services.
Why can resource revenues weaken accountability? Governments less reliant on citizens' taxes may face weaker incentives to answer to taxpayers.
What is the difference between GDP growth and human development? GDP growth measures increased output; human development also considers health, education, and people's well-being.
What is the resource curse? The paradox that valuable natural resources can accompany weak growth, corruption, conflict, and poverty.
What is Dutch disease? Resource exports can appreciate the currency and make other export industries less competitive.
What is a resource rent? Revenue from resource extraction beyond the costs of production and normal profit.
Why are resource boom-and-bust cycles harmful? Price swings make budgets unstable and can lead to overspending, borrowing, and painful cuts.
What example does Collier give of an oil boom and crash? Nigeria's oil boom and the economic decline following the 1986 oil-price crash.
How can natural resources finance civil war? Armed groups can sell commodities or promise future extraction rights to fund weapons and recruitment.
What are conflict diamonds? Diamonds originating in rebel-controlled areas and used to fund armed action against recognized governments.
What is a rentier state? A state heavily financed by externally generated rents such as oil revenues rather than broad domestic taxation.
What is formal sovereignty versus effective control? Formal sovereignty is internationally recognized authority over territory; effective control is the actual ability to govern it.
Why is Mali a useful example of Herbst's argument? The central government has struggled to exercise consistent authority over distant northern territory.
Who are Tuareg separatist groups in Mali? Movements seeking varying degrees of autonomy or independence for northern Mali, often referred to as Azawad.
Who is JNIM? An al-Qaeda-aligned jihadist coalition active in Mali and the wider Sahel.
What is the main distinction between Tuareg separatists and jihadists? Separatists primarily pursue territorial and political autonomy or independence, while jihadists pursue religious-political authority.
What occurred in Mali in 2012? A northern rebellion, military coup, and jihadist advances triggered a major political and security crisis.
How can Mali illustrate Collier's conflict trap? Conflict harms investment, services, trade, and institutions, reinforcing economic insecurity and instability.