The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa: Money, War and the Business of Power

Tech note: I attempted to read this on the Kindle and due to major formatting problems involving the end notes - which would in many cases automatically jump you to the note and not include the actual quoted text - was unable to complete it. Deletion and re-download didn't fix it either.The 2/3rds of it I did manage to read is outstanding, as it presents a uniquely clear-eyed view of the nature and practice of power politics in the region. The Horn has for the past half-century or so been more naked (although not truly fundamentally different) than just about anywhere else in the world regarding the violent interplay of different political, economic and social interests. Unusually, this work is more of a real-world narrative and analysis, embedded within an academic-style framework, rather than - as is too often the case - the author trying to just push their thesis with carefully curated examples. Anyone who is a real student of the region, including practitioners in the international affairs arena, will benefit from reading this.

Great product

If you are interesting in East Africa you should read this. Very knowledgeable!

Well researched and written

Nice

amazing. I found the book much higher than my expectations. It adresses the real politics which ordinary people do not see on tv. Highly recommended.

Based on his theory of the "political marketplace" De Wall gives a profound analysis of the Horn of Africa's internal and international policymaking of war and peace. By explaining the rules and prices of that political economies of these African states' elites he draws a very clear picture of why and how violent conflicts evolve and how realistic prospects for peace or statebuilding might look like. This book requires a goodl deal of prior knowledge on the Horn's state's politics and history but therefore provides an eye-opening model of explanation of today's politics in the wider region. Excellent!

In my opinion, the author takes too much time explaining the history of the Horn and not enough explaining with is currently at stake, the implication of other countries and what to expect in years to come.But overall very clear but complex. Make sure you have a certain basic on the subject before reading.

This book does a great job at adding a layer to the efforts many has undertaken to describe what is fueling conflicts in the Horn of Africa. Its a simplistic approach yet it lends a viable explanation to conflict dynamics. I truly think its a great explanation model that De Waal has published and even if its an academic book its very easy to to read. Some chapters are more relevant than others. The political entrepreneur is a good term. I think this way of looking at politics and what shapes the future of crisis states will be applied more widely by other scholars.- The logic of rent-seeking rebellion is staking a claim by attacking a Government asset.- Government respond with counter attack on rebell asset (population) before opening negotiations.Repeat and we have South Sudan and many other conflicts described in a nutshell.End.