Suchergebnisse

So, the Africa Review of Books (ARB) is born! The road that has been traveled to produce this maiden edition of the Review has been a long one and the obstacles that have had to be surmounted numerous. In fact, at a point, such was the magnitude of the difficulties encountered that some were tempted either to give up on the project altogether or to postpone it indefinitely or even modify it so radically as to alter its identity as an autonomous product of the African social research community. But many others also held on tenaciously to the dream, convinced that the impeccable ideals that underpinned it necessitated the investment of all the energies required to bring it to fruition. That is why the appearance of this first issue of the Review carries with it a sense of historic moment which, hopefully, will also mark the beginning of a new phase, indeed, even a turning point in the study of Africa. It is for this reason too that there is a pervasive sense of celebration accompanying the issuance of the maiden edition of the publication.

Ao tentar enquadrar o debate sobre mudanças nas configurações dos espaços políticos africanos, este artigo concentra-se na estrutura das práticas a nível «nacional». Nesta perspectiva, aponta para um conjunto de processos comuns a toda a África que têm vindo a alterar as constelações iniciais, enuncia uma série de linhas de indagação para a futura investigação, mas não faz previsões quanto a futuras estruturas e práticas. Esta parte é complementada por uma discussão crítica das tentativas de interpretação dos processos políticos em África, até hoje ensaiadas nas ciências sociais, denunciando as suas inadequações às vezes flagrantes. ; In an attempt at lining out a framework for the debate on pattern changes in African politics, this articles focuses mainly on the structures of interaction on the «national» level. In this perspective, it points out a series of processes common to all of Africa which have been provoking alterations in the original patterns. It lists a number of problem areas important for future research, but does not propose hypotheses for future patterns. This part is complemented by a critical discussion of the attempts at interpreting the political processes in Africa which have to date been made in the social sciences, denouncing their sometimes flagrant inadequacies. ; Dans une tentative de formuler un cadre pour le débat sur les changements survenus dans les constellations des espaces politiques en Afrique, cet article se concentre sur les structures des pratiques au niveau «national». Dans cette perspective, il met en relief un ensemble de processus communs à toute l'Afrique qui ont conduit à des altérations dans les constellations initiales. Il énumère une série de domaines importants pour la recherche à entreprendre, mais ne fait pas de prévisions quant aux constellations à venir. Cette partie est complétée par une discussion critique des tentatives d'interprétation des processus politiques en Afrique qui ont été faits jusqu'ici en sciences sociales, et dénonce le manque parfois flagrant d'adéquation qui les caractérise.

The Development of Capitalism in Northern Nigeriaby Robert W. Shenton (London: James Currey, 1986). 169pp; £7.95 paperback.