Railway Expansion explores the complex history of railway construction in Africa during the colonial era, revealing its profound impact on economics, labor, and geopolitics.
The book argues that while railways were intended to facilitate resource extraction and trade, their construction involved widespread forced labor and perpetuated colonial power structures.
One might be surprised to learn the extent to which railways reshaped African societies, influencing urbanization and exacerbating existing inequalities.
The book uniquely examines both the intended economic benefits and the unintended social consequences of railway expansion.
It progresses by first establishing the economic motivations, then confronting the realities of forced labor, and finally analyzing the reshaping of African societies.
By integrating economic analysis with social and political history, Railway Expansion provides a holistic understanding of the railway's lasting impact and its relevance to contemporary development challenges, neocolonialism, and sustainability.