Kidane Mengisteab is Professor of African Studies and Political Science at the Pennsylvania State University. The focus of his current research includes the relevance of ‘traditional’ institutions in Africa’s governance; the socioeconomic implications of the expansion of extractive industries and commercial farming in Africa; and alternative approaches to democratization in the African continent. He is author or editor of several books on Africa. His most recent book is titled The Horn of Africa: Hot Spots in Global Politics: London: Polity Press, 2015. Mengisteab’s co-edited book, ‘Traditional Institutions in Contemporary African Governance’ is in press and he is currently working on a book, titled Alternative Approaches to Democratization in Africa.
