Africa Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Exploring the Multi-dimensional Discourses on ‘Development’

Nathan Andrews

Feb 2013 · Cambridge Scholars Publishing

About this ebook

From a multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary standpoint, this book challenges the teleological and unidirectional notions of development embodied in the idea of modernisation or ‘progress’ and offers a critique of the tendency to consider Africa as a basket case, which often gives the Western ‘self’ an undeserving privilege and superiority over the African ‘other’. Mostly authored by emerging African scholars, this 16-chapter volume addresses the historical application of development projects in Africa and their modern impact in economic, political, cultural, social, and infrastructural contexts, among others.

The book, therefore, unearths development dynamics in specific African countries, examines the continent’s external relations, rethinks predominant ideas on development, and engages in critical examination of concepts and practices that have maintained hegemonic positions in the discussions on Africa’s development. Its uniqueness lies in the ability to bring these several voices and themes together into a concise conception of both the challenges and possibilities of Africa’s sustainable development. The book targets both the academic and policy worlds in Africa and around the world, as well as ordinary members of the public who seek to broaden their theoretical and empirical understanding on the changing dynamics on the African continent.

About the author

Nathan Andrews is both a Trudeau and Vanier doctoral scholar in the Department of Political Science, University of Alberta, Canada.

Dr Nene Ernest Khalema is a Senior Research Specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), a national research institute in South Africa.

Dr Temitope Oriola is an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the College of Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA.

Isaac Odoom is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science, University of Alberta, Canada.