Country Specialization Paper 2 Despite the promise of independence, by the 1970s, it was clear that many African states were facing profound political and economic turmoil. On the political side, military coups, violent civil conflict, and authoritarian rule, became common occurrences. On the economic front, African countries saw declining productivity and anemic growth rates.
Describe these political and economic trends in your country of expertise in the two decades after independence. What explains these trends? In what ways is your country’s experience consistent with, and different from, the rest of Africa? You are expected to incorporate class readings and discussion, as well as material obtained from outside of class. Content and arguments from your last paper – on pre- colonial and colonial Africa – should not be the focus of this assignment. This paper should be 6-8 pages double-spaced.