Title Page -- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -- Table of Contents -- INTRODUCTION -- CONTENDING EXPLANATIONS OF STATE WEAKNESS AND COLLAPSE IN AFRICA -- THE CONTEXT OF GOVERNANCE, DEVELOPMENT AND STATE FORMATION IN PRECOLONIAL AFRICA -- NON-DEVELOPMENTAL GOVERNANCE AND STATE COLLAPSE IN AFRICA -- THE CONTEXT AND DYNAMICS OF THE CONFLICTS IN WEST AFRICA -- STATE COLLAPSE AND CIVIL WAR IN LIBERIA -- STATE COLLAPSE AND CIVIL WAR IN SIERRA LEONE -- STATE FAILURE AND CIVIL WAR IN GUINEA-BISSAU AND CAPE VERDE -- STATE COLLAPSE AND CIVIL WAR IN IVORY COAST -- GUINEA: A FAILING STATE -- CONCLUSION -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX.