"Forrest argues that despite European influences, the contemporary fragility of African states can be fully appreciated only by examining the indigenous social context in which these states evolved. Focusing on Guinea-Bissau, Forrest exposes the emergence of a strong and adaptable "rural civil society" that can be traced back to precolonial times." "Lineages of State Fragility analyzes the social, political, and military experiences of rural civil society and villagers' success in maintaining their autonomy. Forrest identifies interethnic social and military practices that became entrenched in rural social structures and continued to evolve through the colonial period, enabling Guinea-Bissauans to resist state predation." "Lineages of State Fragility offers an unorthodox explanation of African politics by tracing direct social links among the precolonial, colonial, and postcolonial periods and affirms the role of rural actors in determining present-day political outcomes."--BOOK JACKET.