Matthew Lockwood

Lockwood analyses poverty in Africa and makes some comparisons with Asian states which, in the 1960s, were as poor as or even poorer than African states, but which have developed far more rapidly. He identifies the patron-client political system (which he also calls neo-patrimonialism) in Africa as the main culprit preventing African countries from becoming "developmental states". He attributes this system largely to the dynamics of colonialism in which the colonial powers favoured elites. He also argues that the international community has been slow to recognise the political roots of African poverty - a fascination with "good governance" does not go deep enough.… (mer)