Short Notes and Discussion Questions on Bradbury's Becoming Somaliland

BONUS LINK:  My entire (so far) grad school notes collection can be found here. 

Short Notes and Discussion Questions on Bradbury's Becoming Somaliland

*Since the book’s publication:  Close 2010 election (significantly late though) with incumbent losing and a smooth transfer of power.

Questions:

What’s been going on in Somaliland and why?  What are the pivotal contributing factors?

What about the direction of the process over time?  Positive and/or negative trends?

Follow on questions:

What are the implications for Somalia and the region?

What role and influence did the colonial rule have on Somaliland—when compared to Somalia? 

TIPPING POINT:

If conflict over sea port hadn’t been quickly resolved—Somaliland would have quickly devolved into Somali and wouldn’t be where it is today.  This fighting was resolved by elders (NOT the SNM or militia)—not but ultimate war of attrition.  The institutions that evolve aren’t initially hybrid—they are traditional—later they morph into hydrid institutions. 

And eventually the SNM disappears all together—because there’s no resource base for them to exploit. 

Final Question:

Transition to democracy can be risky or might not work because of a lack of economic diversity and because of fading efficacy/power of elders?