New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Andrew Denning, "Automotive Empire: How Cars and Roads Fueled European Colonialism in Africa" (Cornell UP, 2024)

Aug 7, 2024
Dr. Andrew Denning, a scholar specializing in automotive infrastructure and its impact, highlights how cars and roads played a pivotal role in shaping colonial societies in Africa. He discusses the complexities of mobility and control, revealing that while automobiles were seen as solutions to the transport problem, they often exposed the weaknesses of colonial administration. The conversation delves into the labor dynamics of road construction, the interplay between automotive technology and imperialism, and the enduring effects on modern Africa.
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