Tropical Gangsters : Development and Decadence in Deepest Africa

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In this ironically titled volume, economist Klitgaard ( Controlling Corruption ) presents a brilliant analysis of a financially devastated West African country, Equatorial Guinea, where from 1986-1989 he assisted the government as part of a project funded by the World Bank. Still recovering from the 1968-1979 regime of monstrous dictator Macias who killed or drove into exile almost a third of the country's population, the nation of under a half million apparently has a major asset in its earnest President Obiang. Unfortunately, it also suffers from corrupt officials and victimization by European capitalists and ``experts'' interested primarily in junketing. Although Klitgaard examines Equatorial Guinea's finances in detail, this is primarily a warm and affectionate memoir about the country and its people. (Sept.)

Booknews

Subtitled One man's experience with development and decadence in deepest Arica. An anecdotal, first person account by the administrator/economist employed by WHO to supervise equatorial Guinea's economic reform. Not a scholarly work. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)