AcknowledgementsList of TablesList of FiguresList of Contributors1. Political science discipline in Africa: Freedom, relevance, impactLiisa Laakso, Nordic Africa Institute, Sweden 2. Political science and the study of Africa: Mapping the theoretical and conceptual terrainShadrack Wanjala Nasong’o, Rhodes College, Memphis, USA3. Political science and development management: Parallel tracks and critical junctures in AfricaGöran Hydén, University of Florida, USA4. Mainstreaming decolonisation in political science in Africa Eghosa E. Osaghae, University of Ibadan, Nigeria5. What does the decolonial turn for political sciences in Africa entail? And where do we start? Siphamandla Zondi, University of Johannesburg, South Africa6. A neglected subject: The politics of mourning the (de)humanisedLebohang Motsomotso, University of South Africa, South Africa7. Political science for whom? Reflections on teaching and learning political science in selected African universitiesChristopher Isike & Olumuyiwa B. Amao, University of Pretoria, South Africa8. Policy studies as a sub-discipline of political science in Africa: Teachings, research trends and professional expertise in Cameroon Ruth Mireille Manga Edimo, University of Yaounde II, Cameroon9. Beyond disciplinary polemics? The challenge of informal structures in the study of local political institutions in Africa Matthew Sabbi, Universität Bayreuth, Germany10.Ethnicity and democracy in Africa: A comparative study of Ghana and NigeriaMaame Adwoa A. Gyekye-Jandoh, University of Ghana, Ghana11. Research on gender, women and politics in Africa: Contributions and innovationsOlajumoke Yacob-Haliso, Brandeis University, USA & Aili Mari Tripp, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA12. The impact of political science research on teaching political science in Southern Africa Njekwa Mate, University of Zambia, Zambia13. Use of empirical data in research and teaching of political science in AfricaOlugbemiga S. Afolabi, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria & University of Johannesburg, South Africa14. Political scientists as public intellectuals in Africa: Perspectives on relevanceAdigun Agbaje, University of Ibadan, Nigeria15. Political scientists and intellectuals in the political evolution of Cameroon: 1960-2020 Fabien Nkot, Molo Helene Amelie & Isa Adamu, University of Yaounde II, Cameroon16. A critical review of the state of academic freedom in Ghana’s public universities: From pre-independence till the Fourth Republic Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, University of Ghana, Ghana17. The politics of political science in Africa: An afterwordSiphamandla Zondi, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

This is a timely study about a discipline that urgently needs introspection. It is even more relevant not because it focuses on Africa but rather because of the lessons the study of political science in Africa bears for a world that seems not to know anymore how to manage political power or to practice democracy. The authors marshal an impressive database that explains the epistemological grounding of the discipline, shows its contemporary relevance and, seen collectively, they help re-centre the study of political science in a very dynamic continent. The pathways for sustainable democratic future are already detectable in Africa and the lessons out of it are a compelling reason why this book is a must read.

Africa Now is published by Zed Books in association with the Nordic Africa Institute. Featuring high-quality, cutting-edge research from leading academics, the series addresses the big issues confronting Africa today. Accessible but in-depth, and wide-ranging in its scope, Africa Now engages with the critical political, economic, sociological and development debates affecting the continent, shedding new light on pressing concerns for academics, practitioners, and policymakers alike.