On a visit to Nigeria, Associate Professor Samuel Fury Childs Daly observed the prevalence of uniforms among civilians, which sparked his interest in militarism as a societal force. "I got a lesson in the power of uniforms one day when somebody tried to confiscate the shirt that I was wearing," Daly recounted. This experience led him to explore militarism's appeal and its implications for governance in his new book, "Soldier's Paradise: Militarism in Africa after Empire."
Daly, a historian specializing in 20th-century Africa at the University of Chicago, previously authored "A History of the Republic of Biafra: Law, Crime, and the Nigerian Civil War." His latest work delves into why military rule attracts support and how it functions when soldiers assume control.
"A lot of people crave structure and security, and military officers understand that intuitively," said Daly. He noted that while military regimes offer reassurance during crises, they also pose risks. To investigate these themes, Daly conducted research combining history, anthropology, and law studies. Despite challenges with incomplete records from military dictatorships, he utilized court cases and memoirs to piece together narratives.
In "Soldier's Paradise," Daly examines how military leaders believed they could improve governance by instilling their values in civilians. However, not everyone agreed with this vision; some resisted through legal channels or sought personal gain within the system.
The book features stories like those of Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti and psychiatrist Frantz Fanon to illustrate how individuals navigated martial law. According to Daly, many were disillusioned with post-independence politics and saw benefits in militarism despite its drawbacks.
"The cold truth is that for a lot of people there were advantages to this ideology," he stated. He argued that discipline rather than freedom was central to African politics after independence. This perspective challenges prevailing moral views about the era.
"This history shows that how people define freedom is very contingent on their own circumstances," Daly explained. His findings suggest that self-discipline was seen as essential for meaningful freedom under military regimes.
Daly acknowledges that discussing this period can be uncomfortable due to its controversial nature but believes it is crucial for understanding African history post-independence.