| Intellectuals and African Development: Pretension and Resistance in African Politics Contributor(s): Beckman, Bjorn (Editor), Adeoti, Gbemisola (Editor) |
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ISBN: 1842777653 ISBN-13: 9781842777657 Publisher: Zed Books OUR PRICE: $45.55 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: November 2006 Annotation: This book looks at different responses to the African predicament from prominent writers like Soyinka, Ngugi, and Achebe, the military men in power and the students who defy repression. It suggests that intervention by international agencies who claim to promote "democracy" and "empower the youth" may reinforce authoritarian attitudes and structures, and gives voice to the outrage, ridicule, revolutionary ardour and reformist caution of those directly affected. It also exposes the shallow pretences of those in power as well as the hypocrisy and arrogance of the foreign helpers, and concludes that being an "insider" or an "outsider" is less important than being committed to listen to ordinary people. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Developing & Emerging Countries - Political Science | Political Process - General |
| Dewey: 320.96 |
| LCCN: 2006032630 |
| Series: Africa in the New Millennium |
| Physical Information: 0.8" H x 5.5" W x 8.5" (0.90 lbs) 184 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This book looks at the very different responses to the African predicament from prominent writers like Soyinka, Ngugi and Achebe, to the military men in power and the students who defy repression. It suggests that intervention by international agencies who claim to promote 'democracy' and 'empower the youth' may reinforce authoritarian attitudes and structures. The essays in the book give voice to the outrage, ridicule and revolutionary ardour, as well as to the reformist caution, of those directly affected. The shallow pretences of those in power and the hypocrisy and arrogance of the foreign helpers are also exposed. The book concludes that being an 'insider' or an 'outsider' is less important than being committed to listening to ordinary people. |