Force and consent in African region-building

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Periodical article

Title:	Force and consent in African region-building
Author:	Rotchild, D.
Year:	1965
Periodical:	Makerere Journal
Issue:	11
Pages:	23-38
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	federalism confederations
Abstract:	Analysis of the mechanics of African integration has been impeded by an overemphasis upon the distinction between consent and imposition. For the purpose of regional integration the insistence on a 'two-valued' type of distinction between force and consent seems somewhat unrealistic as well as harmful to the cause of unity. It is evident that legitimacy demands an emphasis upon consent, either before integration occurs or as soon afterward as feasible. Consequently, it was more than a formality when the British-created East Africa High Commission was transformed into the East African Common Services Organization. Since African leaders were now intimately associated with the new Organization's founding, this move did much to ensure continued life for EACSO after independence. The relationship of legitimacy to force and consent belongs to the realm of speculation, and it seems wise to leave it to the statesmen to experiment with their own variables of force and consent as they pursue the objective of closer unity. Footnotes.