African perspectives on development: controversies, dilemmas & openings.

Abstract

The book provides 23 chapters on views of Africa, mostly written by authors within Africa. They provide theoretical perspectives on the crisis of development theories, the effect of population on development, rural development, industrialization, and the effect of the IMF, the possibility of democracy within multi-ethnic states, women in politics and agriculture, and Africa in search of a new mode of politics. The book suggests that in contrast with western societies, African societies are of a much more complex and composite nature. African social science must, therefore, differ from contemporary western social science, which despite its insights and knowledge, is insufficient for an analysis, understanding and explanation of African conditions, present and future.