Making and Unmaking Nations: War, Leadership, and Genocide in Modern Africa

Making and Unmaking Nations examines the complex factors behind genocide in modern African nations. Through comparative case studies of Rwanda, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, and Sudan, Scott Straus investigates why mass violence occurs in some cases but not others. The book analyzes key variables including leadership decisions, founding narratives, and the role of institutions during periods of crisis and war. Straus draws on extensive field research, government documents, and interviews with political leaders and citizens across multiple countries. The research focuses on times when genocide could have occurred but didn't, contrasting these with instances where mass violence emerged. This approach provides insights into both risk factors and preventive mechanisms. The work represents an important contribution to genocide studies by challenging simplified explanations and highlighting how national ideologies and elite choices shape outcomes. Through its systematic comparative framework, the book advances understanding of how states can either promote or prevent mass atrocities.

Readers value the book's systematic analysis of why genocide occurs in some African conflicts but not others. The comparative case studies of Rwanda, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, and Sudan provide insights into prevention. Readers appreciate: - Clear framework for understanding genocide risk factors - Focus on leaders' decision-making and strategic choices - Examples of successfully avoided genocides - Extensive field research and interviews Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Repetitive in explaining methodology - Limited discussion of colonial influences - Focus on elite politics over grassroots factors Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.29/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (12 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Straus moves beyond simplistic ethnic hatred explanations to show how specific choices by leaders can either escalate or defuse genocidal situations." - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers note the book works better for academic audiences than general readers seeking an introduction to African conflicts.

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🔹 While examining multiple African nations, Straus discovered that radio broadcasts played a crucial role in both inciting genocide (Rwanda) and preventing it (Côte d'Ivoire) - showing how media can be wielded as both a weapon and a shield. 🔹 The author conducted over 200 interviews with political leaders, military commanders, and local officials across five African nations while researching this book. 🔹 Despite similar risk factors being present in many African nations during times of crisis, only a small number actually descended into genocide - challenging common assumptions about the inevitability of ethnic violence. 🔹 Scott Straus spent nearly a decade as a journalist in Africa before becoming an academic, reporting from countries including Sudan, Congo, and Rwanda. 🔹 The book won the 2016 Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order, one of the most prestigious prizes in political science, carrying a $100,000 award.