Left, right and centre bemoan the failure of the African state. This article challenges their analysis which is not based upon an adequate analysts of the changes in social forces and processes that are involved. It substantiates this assertion by criticising the three most prominent explanations — neo-patrimonial, monopoly and comprador theories — for failing to take the African ruling class seriously, underestimating the foreign stake in state formation and ignoring the growing organisational competence and influence of subordinate classes, It then looks more closely at the way in which these social forces are restructuring the African state system. It concludes by considering the opportunities which the new situation creates for democratic politics.
