Jean-Pascal Daloz

About the Author

Jean-Pascal Daloz is a distinguished French political scientist and sociologist renowned for his incisive analyses of African governance and political dynamics. With a career spanning decades, he has delved into the intricacies of power structures, patronage networks, and the role of disorder in shaping postcolonial states. His seminal work, Africa Works: Disorder as Political Instrument (African Issues), exemplifies his approach by challenging conventional narratives of African politics, arguing that apparent chaos often serves as a deliberate tool for elite consolidation and regime stability. Drawing from extensive fieldwork in West and Central Africa, Daloz's scholarship bridges anthropology and political theory, offering nuanced insights into how informal practices underpin formal institutions. A prolific contributor to academic journals and edited volumes, he continues to influence debates on development, corruption, and state legitimacy across the Global South.