ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to define and discuss the economy of affection, which is at the root of how African countries are being governed through a mish-mash of formal and informal institutions. Following a brief introductory discussion of where the concept belongs in the field of political science analysis, the chapter offers a definition and a set of illustrations of how it operates. It argues that although the economy of affection is most prevalent in African societies, it is a phenomenon that exists elsewhere as well. A second part of the chapter shows how the economy of affection gives rise to a varying set of informal institutions, some positive, others negative, when it comes to development. The third and final part discusses the governance implications of the prevalence of these informal institutions. The chapter concludes by suggesting that although the economy of affection is an integral – and dominant – element in political governance in Africa, it is by no means impossible to tackle and overcome when it proves to have negative consequences.
