African political systems revisited: changing perspectives on statehood and power

Authors
Aleksandar Bošković, Günther Schlee (eds.)

Publisher
New York: Berghahn Books  

Year of publication
2022

ISBN
978-1-80073-472-2

OPAC

Abstract
Reexamining a classical work of social anthropology, African Political Systems (1940), edited by Fortes and Evans-Pritchard, this book looks at the colonial and academic context from which the work arose, as well as its reception and its subject matter, and looks at how the work can help with analysis of current politics in Africa. This book critically reflects upon the history of anthropology. It also contributes to a political anthropology which is aware of its antecedents, self-reflexive as a discipline, conscious of pitfalls and biases, and able to locate itself in its academic, social and political environment.