Our Continent, Our Future: African Perspectives on Structural Adjustment - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 2869780745 ISBN 13: 9782869780743

Publisher: Codesria, 1991

Synopsis

The emerging African prespective on the complex issue of structural adjustment is here analysed. It answers the major challenge for Africans themselves to lead the reform process which has been dominated by external ideas and models. The editors, two of Africa's top scholars, provide a succinct yet comprehensive synthesis of the adjustment debate from a truly African perspective, supported by thirty individual studies, twenty-five of which are from top economists and scholars from every corner of Africa. For decades now, many African countries have implemented the structural adjustment programs of the Bretton Woods Institution. And yet extreme poverty and underdevelopment continue to plague what is becoming the world's forgotten continent. Responding to this need for a new approach from within, the editors articulate a path for the future, underscoring the need to be sensitive to each other's unique history and current condition. They argue for a broader policy agenda and for a much more active role for the state within what is largely a market economy.

About this title

From the Back Cover

For decades now, many African countries have implemented the structural adjustment programs of the Bretton Woods Institutions. The results, however, have been less than sterling. Extreme poverty and underdevelopment continue to plague what is becoming the world's "forgotten continent," and it is now generally agreed that a new approach is urgently required.

Our Continent, Our Future presents the emerging African perspective on this complex issue. The authors use as background their own extensive experience and a collection of 30 individual studies, 25 of which were from African economists, to summarize this African perspective and articulate a path for the future. They underscore the need to be sensitive to each country's unique history and current condition. They argue for a broader policy agenda and for a much more active role for the state within what is largely a market economy.

Our Continent, Our Future is the very first publication to present the African perspective on the Bretton Woods approach to structural adjustment, and it does so with the input and support of top economists and scholars from every corner of Africa. This important book should be read by all people concerned with the future of Africa and issues of sustainable and equitable development.

About the Author

Thandika Mkandiwire is Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) in Geneva. From 1986 until 1996, he served as Executive Secretary of CODESRIA, the Council for the Development of Social Research in Africa in Dakar, Senegal. Dr Mkandawire also serves on the editorial boards of Global Governance, Development and Change, and Africa Development. He is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Association of African Universities, the International Board of the Swedish NGO Fund for Human Rights, and the Executive Board of the International Institute for Labour Studies.

Edition details

• Publisher: Codesria
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 2869780745
• ISBN 13: 9782869780743
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192
• Editor: Mkandawire Thandika