African Explanations of Underdevelopment: The Theoretical Basis for Political Action

Abstract

SCHOLARS, theoreticians, and statesmen in the West and in the Communist world have propounded numerous explanations of the political, economic and social underdevelopment of Africa and Asia. But few have sought to determine exactly what the leaders of the underdeveloped countries themselves think about the problems of underdevelopment. To what do they attribute their retarded status? Answers to this question are important for at least three reasons. First, their views serve as basic theoretical and empirical foundations for domestic measures designed to ameliorate the relatively backward conditions. Second, their answers also temper and condition their attitudes and policies toward the West and the Communist world. Third, a comprehension of their views gives us an opportunity to assess their current ideological tendencies and thus it provides an added dimension in which to discuss future Western policy alternatives. This paper, therefore, attempts to describe and analyze the various explanations for underdevelopment advanced by the leaders of six West African states — Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal.

A Theological Economy in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Mt 25:31-46)

“…Nnamdi Azikwe's thoughts included that "Colonialism... interrupted normal African development, and forced backwardness on the technologically less advanced natives." [17].…”

“…Yet despite that "African theories of underdevelopment are inextricably linked with the concepts of imperialism and colonialism" [18], one must not settle for the convenient position of blaming African under development problems only on the Europeans for colonizing Africa. This would even also be a one-sided assessment.…”

“…Obafemi Awolowo's understanding was that "there were three imperialisms reigning side by side and in concert." [19]. According to Awolowo, the first is the Imperialism of ignorance, disease and want; the second, was the British colonialism; the third is the imperialism of local rulers that benefited from the British imperialism.…”

A Postcolonial Reading of the Triumphant Entry

“…But to lay blame on the colonial enterprise for present dilemmas would be a greater mistake. As Grundy says, "To blame the colonialist powers for Africa's underdevelopment suffers, objectively, from the weaknesses of most monocausal theories" [22]. Like the donkey, Jesus did not care to bother about the past of bondage, but worked out a better future despite the donkey's past or intended future of its condemnation to burden bearing.…”

Some Characteristics of Colonialism and Its Product African Nationalism

“…He identifies it with colonialism, which he regards as the chief cause of oppression and backwardness. It goes without saying that this approach strongly appeals to many Africans, as it makes others responsible for their miserable condition and frees the Africans from any guilt and responsibility (Grundy 1966). Lenin, as it is known, regarded imperialism as a certain stage in the development of the capitalist system, a stage in which monopolistic and financial power crystallizes, the importance of capital exports grows, the international trusts begin to share between themselves the world, and the distribution of the globe among the great powers nears completion (Lenin n.d.,p.…”