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African Military and Political Development: Reflections on a Score of Years, and Several Score of Studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2019

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In the past twenty years, scholars have spilled a great deal of ink debating the role of armed forces in political development. A variety of views have been expressed—and, not unexpectedly, the field lacks a scholarly paradigm. As this paper will indicate, Africa has received its share of studies of the military, notably since the eruption of coups d'etat in late 1965-early 1966 made clear that the presumably “nonpolitical” heritage of colonial armies was quickly being supplanted by direct, extensive political involvement on the part of officers. This essay attempts both to summarize the results of a score of years and several score of studies, and to indicate new directions for research in coming years.

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Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 1984 

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References

Notes

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