Liberalism and Its Discontents

The engaging and wide-ranging discussions published here explore contemporary political realities in Africa through a 'social movement' lens. Detailing the nuances of social movement politics in 12 West African countries during the 2010-2013 period, they present a chronicle of the socio-political struggles that have taken place in the region. In so doing, this volume answers key questions related to these movements. What logic drives them? What forms do they take? What has been their political impact? Can we speak of a resurgence of social movements? If so, are these a response to the crisis of 'representative democracy'? Did they give rise to new forms of expression and democratic participation? What challenges do they bring? Discontent vis- -vis liberalism in its political and economic dimensions seems to be the trigger of the numerous popular uprisings and protests that occur in the region. In spite of their ambiguities and limitations, these struggles currently seek to remove a double disconnect: that between citizens and the 'representatives' and that between the economy and society, between what capital wants and what the people aspire to. Ndongo Samba Sylla, the editor of this volume, is a Senegalese economist, programme and research manager at the West Africa Office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. Author of The Fair Trade Scandal. Marketing poverty to benefit the Rich (translated from French by Pluto Press 2014), he is the editor of "Rethinking Development" (Rosa Luxemburg Foundation 2014). His recent research work deals with the history of the word 'democracy'. Contributing authors: Ibrahim Abdullah - Souley Adji - Kojo Opoku Aidoo - Francis Akind s - Alpha Amadou Bano Barry - Fernando Leonardo Cardoso - Lila Chouli - Modou Diome - Moussa Fofana - Cl udio Alves Furtado - George Klay Kieh Jr - Claus-Dieter K nig - Severin Yao Kouam - Fod Mane - Issa N'Diaye - Zekeria Ould Ahmed Salem - Ndongo Samba Sylla