Description
Sovereignty Without Power provides a comprehensive analysis of Liberia’s distinctive historical trajectory as Africa’s oldest independent republic. Leigh A. Gardner examines the paradox of Liberian sovereignty—how the nation maintained formal independence and international recognition while lacking the economic and military power to fully control its territory and resources.
The book traces Liberia’s development from its founding as a settlement for freed American slaves through the twentieth century, exploring the complex relationships between Liberian leaders, foreign powers, and domestic populations. Gardner analyzes how Liberia’s weak state capacity, despite official sovereignty, shaped its economic dependence on foreign investment, particularly in rubber and iron ore industries.
As part of the Cambridge Studies in Economic History series, this work employs rigorous historical and economic analysis to understand how Liberia’s unique origins and geopolitical position influenced its institutional development and economic policies during the age of European imperialism and beyond.
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