Reinventing Order in the Congo

How People Respond to State Failure in Kinshasa

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology, Sociology
Cover of the book Reinventing Order in the Congo by , Zed Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781848137677
Publisher: Zed Books Publication: April 4, 2013
Imprint: Zed Books Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781848137677
Publisher: Zed Books
Publication: April 4, 2013
Imprint: Zed Books
Language: English

Kinshasa is sub-Saharan Africa‘s second largest city. The seven million Congolese who live there have a rich reputation for the courageous and innovative ways in which they survive in a harsh urban environment. They have created new social institutions, practices, networks and ways of living to deal with the collapse of public provision and a malfunctioning political system. This book describes how ordinary people, in the absence of formal sector jobs, hustle for a modest living; the famous ‘bargaining‘ system ordinary Kinois have developed; and how they access food, water supplies, health and education. The NGO-ization of service provision is analysed, as is the quite rare incidence of urban riots. The contributors also look at popular discourses, including street rumor, witchcraft, and attitudes to ‘big men‘ such as musicians and preachers. This is urban sociology at its best - richly empirical, unjargonized, descriptive of the lives of ordinary people, and weaving into its analysis how they see and experience life.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Kinshasa is sub-Saharan Africa‘s second largest city. The seven million Congolese who live there have a rich reputation for the courageous and innovative ways in which they survive in a harsh urban environment. They have created new social institutions, practices, networks and ways of living to deal with the collapse of public provision and a malfunctioning political system. This book describes how ordinary people, in the absence of formal sector jobs, hustle for a modest living; the famous ‘bargaining‘ system ordinary Kinois have developed; and how they access food, water supplies, health and education. The NGO-ization of service provision is analysed, as is the quite rare incidence of urban riots. The contributors also look at popular discourses, including street rumor, witchcraft, and attitudes to ‘big men‘ such as musicians and preachers. This is urban sociology at its best - richly empirical, unjargonized, descriptive of the lives of ordinary people, and weaving into its analysis how they see and experience life.

More books from Zed Books

Cover of the book Environment and Citizenship by
Cover of the book Economies of Recycling by
Cover of the book Rethinking Macroeconomics for Sustainability by
Cover of the book Africa by
Cover of the book The Global Women's Movement by
Cover of the book We Kill Because We Can by
Cover of the book Media Movements by
Cover of the book Water and Development by
Cover of the book Right-Wing Politics in the New Latin America by
Cover of the book South Africa's Insurgent Citizens by
Cover of the book Energy Services for the Urban Poor in Africa by
Cover of the book The Great African Land Grab? by
Cover of the book Violence and Resilience in Latin American Cities by
Cover of the book Reclaiming the Land by
Cover of the book The Economist's Tale by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy