This timely and unique book is an analytical study of post-liberation Eritrea. The work offers an extraordinary account of the events and developments that have taken place in the country’s politics, economy and foreign relations and of the things that have gone wrong since independence. By focusing on the economy, constitutional development or lack thereof, and foreign relations, the book illuminates objectively the internal and external difficulties and constraints the country faced in building a democratic society, viable economy, and sustainable foreign policy after liberation. Mengisteab and Yohannes insightfully demonstrate the structural and historical conditions and leadership patterns that account for the striking similarities between post-colonial Eritrea and post-colonial African states. The book makes an enormous contribution not only to the study of contemporary Eritrea but also to the comparative study of African politics and government. Since there is no work to date that treats the economy, politics and diplomacy of Eritrea from a comparative perspective, this timely book will go a long way in closing the gap in our understanding of post-liberation Eritrea, and the post-colonial African state as well.

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