International observers have lauded Rwanda as an
example of an African country taking control of its own development trajectory,
and as a market-friendly destination for investment. A key component of this narrative has been an ambitious programme of agricultural reform, involving private
firms, NGOs, and international charities. The Rwandan government claims these
reforms have been a resounding success, tripling crop yields and helping to combat
hunger.


Chris Huggins argues, however, that Rwanda's liberal,
modernising image sits poorly with the regime's continuing authoritarian
tendencies. Featuring in-depth case studies of the effects of agricultural
reform in three different regions, and drawing on hundreds of interviews,
Huggins shows that the much-vaunted `liberalization' of agriculture has in fact
depended on the coercion of Rwandan farmers, and in many cases has had a
detrimental impact on their livelihoods.



With the Kagame regime now coming under
increasing international scrutiny, this work provides a timely look at the
impact of `market friendly authoritarianism' in contemporary Africa, making
essential reading for students and scholars of development in the fields of
sociology, anthropology, political science, and economics.