Southern Africa - Jonathan Farley

Southern Africa surveys the contemporary history of the whole region encompassing economic, social, political, security, foreign policy, health, environmental and gender issues in one short succinct volume.

Positioning the collapse of Portugal's African Empire in the context of the region's history since 1945, Farley asserts that this collapse set in motion a train of events that eventually led to the transition of power from minority to majority rule in Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. He examines the experiences of these countries as well as the former High Commission territories of Swaziland, Botswana and Lesotho to analyse the kind of states that evolved and shows how Southern Africa's present problems are the inevitable result of a long history of white rule. The book assesses the challenges faced by Southern Africa's political leaders up to the present day and discusses how these problems might be successfully addressed in the future.

With maps, a chronology and glossary, this is a valuable resource for all those interested in African history, politics and culture.

Jonathan Farley worked in the Department of History and International Affairs at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, teaching mainly African and Middle East politics on naval officer courses. He retired in 1999.

'This brief analytical survey of the eight countries in southern Africa succinctly captures their evolutionary political and socioeconomic development over time in a simplified but accurate summation. It will be especially useful for African Introductory courses or readers who are not familiar with Southern Africa's British and Portuguese origins. Each section highlights the historically unique characteristics of the economic, political, security, and foreign policy dimensions of each country as it emerged from its colonial status to its current independence.'- CHOICE

'Farley's study offers a very sound introduction to the problems facing Southern Africa, whilst placing them in something of their historical context … [his] "regional approach" throws up valuable comparisons and warnings … it will certainly broaden the horizons of any serious student.' - History Teaching Review