Book Reviews : Apology for Uncomfortable Change: 1865-1965. By ARTHUR E. SUTHERLAND. (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1965. Pp. 107. $3.95.)

AuthorLee G. Mcdonald
Published date01 March 1966
Date01 March 1966
DOIhttp://doi.org/10.1177/106591296601900160
Subject MatterArticles
/tmp/tmp-17bMsdKAxeWd67/input
204
be deplored, however. For case studies, if rigorously executed, perform the indispen-
sable function of testing the utility of conceptual schemes and identifying recurrent
patterns.
One-Party Government in Mali by Frank Gregory Snyder amply fulfills its ex-
pected function as a case study of the techniques of political take-over and control.
Initially written as an undergraduate honors thesis at Yale University, the book is a
stimulating account of how the single political party in Mali, the Union Soudanaise,
originated, captured power, and rules in that West African nation. Snyder relies
heavily on primary sources -
interviews with Malian leaders, party documents, and
state communiqu6s. Secondary works are also drawn upon. As might be expected,
most of his sources are in French. A
number of documents and statements appear as
appendices.
The emergence of the Union Soudanaise is described and analyzed in terms of
a conceptual framework, which postulates three preconditions &dquo;for the birth of a
nationalist political movement in a developing country&dquo;: (1) the formation of an
elite group, distinguished by its education; (2) the building of a mass base; and,
finally (3) the existence of both an incentive and an opportunity.
The impetus for political awakening was provided by the French: their policy
of &dquo;association&dquo; permitted a select few of the indigenous population to receive French
education. The exclusive secondary school, the Ecole Normale William Ponty, near
Dakar, Senegal, became the academy of nationalist leaders for French West Africa.
Frustrated and infuriated by the denial of political participation, the educated elite
began to establish contacts among its members. The device of voluntary association
was effectively utilized to build a mass base. After a bitter struggle for hegemony
between the French-backed Parti Progressiste Soudanais (PSP) and the Union
Soudanaise (US), the latter emerged as the victor. The organizational...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT