Description
Book SynopsisOblivion or Utopia: the Prospects for Africa explains that most of the problems on the continent stem from the fact that, although the continent may be politically independent, it is not economically independent. Efforts to reverse the continent''s continuing underdevelopment have failed to date, including trillions of dollars in aid, because they have not been consciously aimed at enabling Africa to turn its vast natural resources into wealth, which is the only known way of ensuring economic independence. Based on a comprehensive exploration of impediments to reach the goal of economic independence required for self definition, the book proposes a five step strategy which can enable the continent to turn its natural resources into wealth by: 1.
Trade ReviewOblivion or Utopia is strong in its portrayal of the effect of knowledge and culture on economic processes. The deficit in knowledge to transform natural resources into wealth is so severe that universities, think tanks and civil society need mobilising across the continent in the use of knowledge as an economic lever. The task he gives these actors is to identify and address economic issues in a language that people understand. The author peppers his works with African proverbs to make sure his point gets home to those he is writing for – the ordinary person in his or her community. The conviction is that “when a critical number of communities on the continent changes, the country changes and eventually the continent changes”. This is a bottom-up view of development reflecting the more rooted side of aid efforts. * Development in Practice *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Acknowledgements Chapter 3 Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 4 Chapter 2: The Nature of the Struggle Chapter 5 Chapter 3: Africa's Economy Chapter 6 Chapter 4: African Politics and Economic Development Chapter 7 Chapter 5: Civil Society and Economic Development Chapter 8 Chapter 6: African Culture and Economic Development Chapter 9 Chapter 7: What can Africa learn from South Korea's Economic Miracle? Chapter 10 Chapter 8: Positioning Africa in the World Chapter 11 Chapter 9: What would an Economically Liberated Africa Look Like? Chapter 12 Chapter 10: The Five Step Strategy for Africa's Economic Independence Chapter 13 Bibliography Chapter 14 Appendix: A Summary of the Discussion of the Future of Africa Chapter 15 Index Chapter 16 About the Author
