'Deon Geldenhuys has written a thorough and engaging treatment of this neglected aspect of world politics. Drawing from his wealth of knowledge in this area, Geldenhuys provides us with the requisite analytical tools and necessary historical depth to make sense of contested statehood, its impact and prospects.' - Chris Alden, London School of Economics, UK
'This book by Deon Geldenhuys, one of South Africa's best-known professors of international politics, examines a little-studied but important phenomenon in world politics: the 'wannabe state' those self-proclaimed entities that operate like states. This book provides an excellent examination of how and why contested states always have the potential to inflame international tensions.' - Kim Richard Nossal, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada