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Bare life and the developmental state: implications of the militarisation of higher education in Eritrea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2008

Tanja R. Müller
Tanja R. Müller*
Affiliation:
School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester, Arthur Lewis Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
*
Email: tanja.mueller@manchester.ac.uk
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Abstract

In this article Eritrea is discussed as a developmental state based on biopolitics. Taking the example of higher education, it is shown how the biopolitical project as applied to education policies and human resource development at first succeeded in terms of reinforcing personal nationalism, while at the same time opening up spaces for the fulfilment of personal aspirations. Of late, however, the biopolitical project has turned ‘pernicious’ and has become a tool of oppression. These developments, if they are to continue, will not only jeopardise the state's developmental agenda but may lead to the Eritrean polity in its present form becoming unviable.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Modern African Studies , Volume 46 , Issue 1 , March 2008 , pp. 111 - 131
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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Interviews

‘Almaz’, 4th year student, Asmara, 22.11.2000; Ph.D. student, email exchange, 05.10.2006.

‘Esther’, graduate UoA and professional, Asmara, 28.10.2006.

‘Hannah’, 4th year student, Asmara, 6.11.2000.

‘Rahel’, 4th year student, Asmara, 24.10.2000; professional, Asmara, 19.05.2004; telephone conversation, Asmara, 04.11.2006; email exchange, 14.11.2006.

‘Rihab’, 4th year student, Asmara, 26.04.2001.

‘A’. male professional, c. 50 years old, Asmara, January 2002.

‘B’, female student, Mai Nefhi, 22 years old, 25.10.2006.

‘C’, female student, Mai Nefhi, 20 years old, 25.10.2006.

‘D’, male student, Mai Nefhi, 23 years old, 25.10.2006.

Osman Saleh, Minister of Education, Asmara, 20.03.2001.

Dr. Wolde-Ab Yisak, President UoA, Asmara, 13.06.2001.