1. Introduction: Contextualizing the Debates on Politics, Governance, and Development .- 2. Competing Theories and Concepts on Politics, Governance, and Development .- 3. Theory of the Crises of the State .- 4. Post-colonialism: Theoretical Foundations and Relevance to African Politics .- 5. Decoloniality as a Combative Ontology in African Development .- 6. Theories of Social change and Development in Africa .- 7. Theoretical Foundations of Nation-building .- 8. Pre-colonial political institutions: Relevance for Contemporary Africa .- 9. Politics and Society in Pre-Colonial Africa: Implications for Governance in Contemporary Times .- 10. Settler and Non-settler Colonialism in Africa .- 11. Nationalism in Africa: concepts, types and phases .- 12. Nationalism and Political Independence in Africa .- 13. Theories of Military in African Politics .- 14. Coups and counter-coups in Africa .- 15. Military and Transition Politics .- 16. Civil Military Relations in Africa .- 17. Politics of identity and the crisis of nation-building in Africa.- 18. Migration and Xenophobia in Africa .- 19. Identity politics and wars of secession in Africa .- 20. Ethnic Identity and Conflicts in Africa .- 21. Identities, Conflicts, and Africa Refugee Crises .- 22. Resource Control and Conflict in Africa .- 23. Trade Unions and the struggle for democracy in Africa .- 24. The Peasantry and politics in Africa .- 25. Civil Society Organizations and Democratic Governance in Africa .- 26.Uncivil society and ethnic militia in African politics .- 27. Migration and Urbanization in Africa .- 28. Democracy and Political Development in Africa .- 29. Political Parties and Democracy in Africa .- 30. Institutions, Neopatriomonial Politics, and Democratic Development .- 31. Gender and Governance .- 32. Political Participation and Political Citizenship .- 33. Media and Politics in Africa .- 34. Public Procurement and Development in Africa .- 35. Challenges of Economic Development .- 36. Resource Governance andthe Crisis of Development .- 37. Illicit Financial Flows and African Development Conundrum .- 38. Public Good and the Crises of Service Delivery in Africa .- 39. Regional Integration and Development .- 40. Resilient/Informal  Economy and African Development .- 41. The Role of International Financial Institutions .- 42. Africa in the global trading system .- 43. Africa and foreign direct investment .- 44. Africa in the BRICS: In whose interest? .- 45. Africa's Development Narratives: From Growth to Wellbeing .- 46. The politics of foreign aid .- 47. From OAU to AU: Rethinking supranational governance in Africa .- 48. Pan Africanism is Africa’s Third Way: The Cultural Relevance of African Political Economy .- 49. Demography and the Future of Africa .- 50. From Hard to Human Security: Rethinking Security Architecture in Africa .- 51. Research, Innovation and Higher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa .- 52. Energy Security and the future of development in Africa .- 53. Climate Change, Food Security and Sustainable Development in Africa .- 54. The Political Economy of Corruption .- 55. Rethinking Governance and Development.

This handbook constitutes a single collection of well researched articles and essays on African politics, governance and development from the pre-colonial through colonial to the post-colonial eras. Over the course of these interconnected periods, African politics have evolved with varied experiences across different parts of the continent. As politics is embedded both in the economy and the society, Africa has witnessed some changes in politics, economics, demography and its relations with the world in ways that requires in-depth analysis. This work provides an opportunity for old and new scholars to engage in the universe of the debate around African politics, governance and development and will serve as a ready reference material for students, researchers, policy makers and investors that are concerned with these issues.

“Past, present and future meet in a highly illuminating and productive manner on the pages of this massive volume focused on the historical, theoretical, empirical, and policy dimensions of the interfaces of politics, governance and development in Africa. The outcome is a largely readable and engaging collection of essays penned by several generations of scholars, from leading to new and emerging voices, who do justice to the complexities in Africa's trajectories across time. The book is set to emerge as a most authoritative volume on Africa and its complex histories, encounters, and alternative futures in its experience with politics, governance and development—and with the rest of the world.” (Adigun Agbaje, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria)

“This handbook brings together an impressive array of scholars, some well-known, others deserving wider consideration. The topics addressed require urgent attention as the achievements in politics, governance, and development in Africa are so widely divergent. The editors draw on a broad range of analyses while emphasis is given to the perspectives of African scholars. It will be closely read within and outside Africa and will enhance the quality of ongoing debates.” (Richard Joseph, John Evans Professor of Political Science and International History, Northwestern University, USA)

“The sheer range, discursive interests and theoretical persuasions of the academics and researchers who contributed to this volume makes it a must-read for all those concerned with the state of African politics. Even more, the topics deal with key issues of African history, the ever-evolving present and finally, what we can expect of the continent’s future.” (Sanya Osha, Research Fellow, Institute for Economic Research in Innovation, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa)

Offers a complete and innovative analysis of the three interrelated issues of politics, governance and development in Africa Captures current dynamics of African politics and development Offers readers easy access to well-researched essays on the changes in the architecture of politics, governance and development in conjunction with such issues as elections, democratic consolidation or retreat, terrorism, climate change and emerging partners