The study attempts to highlight the interrelation between three central points in the ongoing debate on the political economy of development: viability, surplus, and class-formation. A case study of the development of rural labour systems in Northern Nigeria is meant to provide both a better...

With the attack on the Capitol by the 'Proud Boys', Donald Trump's 'deep state' allegations reached the peak of US conspiracy ideologies. Conspiracy was at the core of Trump's policies, including his repeated claims that President Barack Obama was born in Africa. It reflects Trump's deep dislike...

The impact of occult belief on legitimacy of the state and on aid for democratization in Africa: Among politicians and development experts in Africa alike there is a growing awareness of the never decreasing importance of the belief in magic and witchcraft on political decision making since...

French Abstract: Parmi les politiciens et les experts du développement en Afrique de même il y a une prise de conscience croissante de l'importance jamais décroissante de la croyance en la magie et la sorcellerie sur la prise de décision politique depuis l'époque pré-coloniale. La...

The analysis of African occult belief systems provides a unique example for demonstrating that seemingly outdated and exotic African modes of thought, such as the belief in magic and witchcraft, are modern and have significant impact on social, economic and political structures. Official...

We argue that organized religion serves as a powerful mechanism of change and subsequent persistence of cultural norms. We use a geo-coded representative survey of African countries and the location of historical Christian missions to estimate a significant and economically meaningful...

In this paper I reflect upon my life as a Christian and how it has connected to my work as an academic economist. I examine how my parents, teachers, colleagues, mentors, collaborators, and friends have influenced my path thus far. I outline five roles that may potentially be played by...