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Discrepancies in normative definitions of delinquency are not specific to colonial situations with the inequalities and the cultural confrontations they involve. We see them happen in European history as well. The imposition of the State goes hand in hand with an invention of delinquency, be it in xixth century Europe, or in xxth century Africa, as usual behaviour and habits become reprehensible, with repression provoking reactions that can go as far as rebellion. With this similarity in view, we suggest a comparative approach of the construction of States. Such comparisons will, no doubt, benefit European as well as African historiography.