Eight Books to Understand the Malagasy Crisis
Are you feeling lost regarding the Malagasy crisis? Since the ousting of President Rajoelina in October 2025, it has been challenging to gain clarity. These eight books take you back to the roots to understand the historical, economic, and cultural complexities of Madagascar, as well as the army's pivotal role in its chronic instability.
The Enigma and the Paradox: The Political Economy of Madagascar
Mireille Razafindrakoto, François Roubaud, and Jean-Michel Wachsberger
Tired of repeated crises? This book is the investigation you need. The authors decode why Madagascar remains trapped in chronic instability. They reveal the mechanisms of rent management, the fragile alliances among elites, and the popular discontent that they fuel. For those wanting to grasp the true sources of economic delay and political blockages, this work is essential — the cornerstone for understanding the deep structure of Madagascar’s malaise.
Madagascar: A Culture in Peril?
Sylvain Urfer
Before judging politics, one must understand the Malagasy soul. Sylvain Urfer deeply explores modes of thought, social practices, and the strength of traditions. More than just a sociology essay, it is a guide to decode collective behaviors and the complex relationship with the state. By grasping the cultural and identity dimensions of the island, one better understands why the Malagasy political game follows often misunderstood logics by external observers.
Madagascar: A Short History
Randrianja Solofo & Stephen Ellis
To understand the current chaos, one must look back in time. From the era of kingdoms to colonization, through socialist experiments, the authors trace the trajectory of a country at the crossroads of African and Austronesian influences. This narrative sheds light on the roots of the institutional and identity fractures that continue to weigh on Malagasy political life today.
Madagascar – The History of the Great Island
Émile Blanchard & Alfred Jacobs
A foundational fresco. This book presents a vivid panorama of the history, intermingling, and customs that have shaped the nation. By retracing Madagascar's institutional evolution, its role in the Indian Ocean, and the significant figures of its national construction, the authors provide illuminating insight into the formation of its identity and its successive crises. An essential read to grasp the legacies that still impact the present.
Political Rivalries and Socialism in Madagascar
Pascal Chaigneau
Socialism in Madagascar is not just a chapter of the past; it is a living legacy. Pascal Chaigneau analyzes the ideological disputes and confrontations that arose post-Independence, focusing on the socialist experience. He shows how these rivalries have shaped a fragmented political system, where competition for power remains fierce. A key essay for understanding the genesis of current fractures.
Madagascar: The Coup d'État of March 2009
Solofo Randrianja
A mirror of current events. This crucial work revisits the coup d'état that brought Andry Rajoelina to power. By analyzing social divisions and the consequences of this unconstitutional power grab, Randrianja provides a framework for understanding the crisis mechanisms that are repeating today. A nuanced analysis of the fragility of Malagasy democracy.
Madagascar: From One Crisis to Another – Breaks and Continuities
Mireille Razafindrakoto, François Roubaud & Jean-Michel Wachsberger
Why does Madagascar, rich in resources and spared from war, remain mired in endless recession? The authors deconstruct the deep causes of a structural instability. Weakness of the state, struggles over rent capture, and disordered exploitation of natural resources all contribute to a vicious cycle. An essential decryption to understand that the current crisis is less about rupture than about a tragic continuity.
The Military Society in Madagascar: A Matter of Honor(s)
Olivier Vallée
Is the army the true arbiter of power? In the context of military power grabs, this book is highly relevant. Olivier Vallée analyzes the dual nature of military power, its close ties to elites, and its recurring role in political transitions. By exploring the confusion between military honor and political ambition, he highlights the army's central place in Malagasy crises.