Tradition, Culture and Development in Africa: Historical Lessons for Modern Development Planning
Document Type
Book
Publication Date
2006
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315235868
Abstract
The fact that Africa continues to lag behind all regions of the world on every indicator of development is hardly contentious. However, there is fierce debate on why this should be the case, despite national and international efforts to reverse this situation. While this book does not attempt to answer this question per se, it addresses a largely ignored, but important issue, which might provide some insights into the matter. This issue is the link between culture/tradition and socio-economic development in Africa. By weaving a common thread through these concepts, this book breaks new ground in the discourse on development. It highlights the differences between Euro-centric culture, which is rooted in capitalist ideology and Protestant ethic, and traditional African culture, where concepts such as capital accumulation, entrepreneurial attitudes and material wealth are not of top priority. In doing so, it dispels popular myths, stereotypes and distortions, as well as discounting misleading accounts about major aspects of African culture and traditional practices.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Tradition, Culture and Development in Africa: Historical Lessons for Modern Development Planning, Routledge, 240 p.
Scholar Commons Citation
Njoh, Ambe J., "Tradition, Culture and Development in Africa: Historical Lessons for Modern Development Planning" (2006). School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications. 2022.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geo_facpub/2022
