Displacement Economies in Africa: Paradoxes of Crisis and Creativity

Large-scale displacement - whether caused by war, state-related political or development projects, different forms of political violence, structural crisis, or even natural disasters - evokes many stereotyped assumptions about those forcibly displaced or emplaced. At the same time there is a problematic lack of attention paid to those who benefit economically from, manage, or in various unexpected ways are affected by processes of displacement.In this highly original volume, based on empirical case studies from across sub-Saharan Africa, the authors provide fresh insights into the unexpected changes, complex agency and persistent dynamism entailed in displacement processes. In doing so, the book explores the diversity of actors, strategies and practices that reshape the world in the face (and chronic aftermath) of dramatic moments of violent dislocation and /or enclosure. An important contribution to a topic of growing scholarly and policy interest.

Amanda Hammar is Professor of African Studies at Copenhagen University. She has worked primarily as a researcher since 1997, but from 1983 onwards worked in various aspects of social policy, rural development and local government reform in southern Africa.