The Military in African Politics

William Gutteridge

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN:
  9781032612690
• eBook ISBN:
  9781003801528
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: African Politics
• Index: Politics & International Relations

Originally published in 1969, this book assesses the origin and nature of the 20th Century trend towards military intervention in the politics of African states. It begins by examining the natures of African armies and their inheritance from the colonial period. It scrutinizes the Nigerian and Ghana coups of 1966 and aspects of the East African mutinies in 1964 as well as events in certain French territories including Gabon and Dahomey. The effect of foreign military aid on the role of the armed forces in Africa is analysed, including the subtle influence of overseas military experience. The problems facing army officers when they seize the reins of government are examined along with the difficulties which they encounter when attempting to reinstitute civilian rule. Throughout the book the qualities which enable armies to intervene in politics are reviewed and related to those of the other institutions of African society.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Map
• Original Title Page
• Original Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• I The Origins and Nature of African Armies
• II The Social Structure of African Armies
• III Political and Social Adaptation
• IV The Nature of the East African Mutinies 1964
• V Examples from Francophone Africa
• VI The Tragedy of Nigeria
• VII The Case of Ghana
• VIII Foreign Military Assistance and the Political Rôle of African Armed Forces
• IX The Political Rôle and Motivation of the Military in Africa – an Assessment
• Short Bibliography
• Index