This review led me to reading your "Silly thoughts on monarchies and democracies".
Your hypothesis that African empires might have arrived at more stable government/institutions if the Europeans had not intervened is interesting. We would never know.
If one applied the thesis as is, ie. empire consolidation can lead to stable governments, what about the British, rather than the Oyo empire, for instance, colonising its neighbours renders the mechanism inoperable?
Do you mean that Britain ought to have colonised France? I suppose the answer to that is that France got there first in 1066. As for Ireland, Scotland, Wales, that fits the thesis
I mean, the British Colonized Western Nigeria before the Oyo Empire did it. What are some reasons why that might not have resulted in the outcomes that an Oyo colonization might have produced? Assuming that the primary thesis is empire expansion/consolidation leads to long term government/institutional stability.
It's a good question. Why had it not happened already by the time? I suppose the only answer is that the first to attempt consolidation on a large scale is not always the one who finishes the job. The Oyo Empire had already run out of steam before the British showed up. But given the British only showed up around 200 years ago, it was certainly long in coming. I don't have a good answer... other than that everything seems to take long(er) in Africa ...lol
It would be interesting to see to what extent the longevity of an Empire determined the evolution of a modern state by looking at the Ethiopian empire, which dates back to 1270 and was never really colonized.
On another note, what was the Oyo Empire trying to export to its conquered neighbours? While the colonialists can be accused of being extractive in mindset, it should be pointed out that they also actively tried to export education, healthcare, religion (by suasion in the case of Western colonialists), and technology - even if it was only to further their extractive activities.
Thoroughly enjoying the read-along reviews thus far. From Tobi’s tone, he appears more irritated by Studwell’s relatively gentle treatment of certain factors in the book. I understand where he is coming from. He expected the same intensity and analytical rigour that defined How Asia Works to be present in this book as well, and in his view, Joe did not quite deliver that standard.
What a thoroughly refreshing review, gentlemen. This is an appraisal that directly engages with the material-not for the sake of disagreeing-but to make a critical rebuttal. I also like the fine point made about the salience of having a national identity (and how it is a factor but not the sole one), how corruption maybe should be a significant variable to explain state failure and the importance of policy sequencing.
I must confess that I have a copy of 'How Asia Works' but haven't had the time to read it. I will certainly get a copy of Studwell's book too. Thank you for sharing this review. I look forward to subsequent posts but always look forward to your posts.
This review led me to reading your "Silly thoughts on monarchies and democracies".
Your hypothesis that African empires might have arrived at more stable government/institutions if the Europeans had not intervened is interesting. We would never know.
If one applied the thesis as is, ie. empire consolidation can lead to stable governments, what about the British, rather than the Oyo empire, for instance, colonising its neighbours renders the mechanism inoperable?
Do you mean that Britain ought to have colonised France? I suppose the answer to that is that France got there first in 1066. As for Ireland, Scotland, Wales, that fits the thesis
I mean, the British Colonized Western Nigeria before the Oyo Empire did it. What are some reasons why that might not have resulted in the outcomes that an Oyo colonization might have produced? Assuming that the primary thesis is empire expansion/consolidation leads to long term government/institutional stability.
It's a good question. Why had it not happened already by the time? I suppose the only answer is that the first to attempt consolidation on a large scale is not always the one who finishes the job. The Oyo Empire had already run out of steam before the British showed up. But given the British only showed up around 200 years ago, it was certainly long in coming. I don't have a good answer... other than that everything seems to take long(er) in Africa ...lol
I guess we would never know.
It would be interesting to see to what extent the longevity of an Empire determined the evolution of a modern state by looking at the Ethiopian empire, which dates back to 1270 and was never really colonized.
On another note, what was the Oyo Empire trying to export to its conquered neighbours? While the colonialists can be accused of being extractive in mindset, it should be pointed out that they also actively tried to export education, healthcare, religion (by suasion in the case of Western colonialists), and technology - even if it was only to further their extractive activities.
Thoroughly enjoying the read-along reviews thus far. From Tobi’s tone, he appears more irritated by Studwell’s relatively gentle treatment of certain factors in the book. I understand where he is coming from. He expected the same intensity and analytical rigour that defined How Asia Works to be present in this book as well, and in his view, Joe did not quite deliver that standard.
Thanks for reading!
What a thoroughly refreshing review, gentlemen. This is an appraisal that directly engages with the material-not for the sake of disagreeing-but to make a critical rebuttal. I also like the fine point made about the salience of having a national identity (and how it is a factor but not the sole one), how corruption maybe should be a significant variable to explain state failure and the importance of policy sequencing.
I must confess that I have a copy of 'How Asia Works' but haven't had the time to read it. I will certainly get a copy of Studwell's book too. Thank you for sharing this review. I look forward to subsequent posts but always look forward to your posts.
Thank you!