Neoliberalism and the state in the African city: Informality, accumulation and the rebirth of a Ugandan market = Le néolibéralisme et l'Etat dans la ville africaine : informalité, accumulation et renaissance d'un marché ougandais

Young, G. (2021) Neoliberalism and the state in the African city: Informality, accumulation and the rebirth of a Ugandan market = Le néolibéralisme et l'Etat dans la ville africaine : informalité, accumulation et renaissance d'un marché ougandais. Critical African Studies, 13(3), pp. 305-320. (doi: 10.1080/21681392.2021.1999834)

[img] Text
257793.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

580kB

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and the transformations that it brings are raising urgent questions about understanding the African city. This article stresses the value of viewing urban development through a critical lens that focuses on questions surrounding neoliberalism and the state, highlighting how such an approach can provide important insights into the dynamics of informal economic activity. Examining the recent history of Kisekka Market in Kampala, Uganda, it argues that development processes in the informal economy, even when apparently neutral or ostensibly empowering for the urban poor, facilitate forms of accumulation and dispossession that result in the consolidation of political and economic power. The destruction and rebirth of Kisekka Market, despite its changing politics, has consistently benefitted wealthier vendors and external investors, threatened to displace poorer traders and served the interests of President Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and their allies. Exploring these dynamics demands addressing traditional political economy questions that must serve as the foundation for analysing the institutions, structures and processes shaping contemporary African cities.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by the Smuts Memorial Fund, managed by the University of Cambridge in memory of Jan Smuts and by the UAC of Nigeria Travel Fund.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Young, Dr Graeme
Authors: Young, G.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
Journal Name:Critical African Studies
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:2168-1392
ISSN (Online):2040-7211
Published Online:01 December 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Author
First Published:First published in Critical African Studies 13(3): 305-320
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record