The Dialectics of Transformation in Africa
A discussion of political and religious crisis in Africa, this book covers such topics as democratic transition, good governance, civil society and the African renaissance. Elias K. Bongmba proposes humanistic interventions centred on the recovery of inte
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THE DIALECTICS OF TRANSFORMATION IN AFRICA
Elias Kifon Bongmba
The Dialectics of Transformation in Africa Copyright © Elias K. Bongmba, 2006. Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2006 978-1-4039-7211-8 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. First published in 2006 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN™ 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010 and Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England RG21 6XS. Companies and representatives throughout the world. PALGRAVE MACMILLAN is the global academic imprint of the Palgrave Macmillan division of St. Martin’s Press, LLC and of Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Macmillan® is a registered trademark in the United States, United Kingdom and other countries. Palgrave is a registered trademark in the European Union and other countries. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bongamba, Elias Kifon, 1953 The dialectics of transformation in Africa/Elias Kifon Bongmba. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-349-53341-1 ISBN 978-1-4039-8458-6 (eBook) DOI 10.1057/9781403984586 1. Africa–Social conditions–1960- 2. Africa–Politics and government–1960- 3. Political corruption–Africa. 4. Postcolonialism–Africa. I. Title. HN773.5.B66 2006 303.4’096–dc22 2005051710 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. First edition: March 2006 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This book is dedicated to the loving memory of Monica Munkeng Bongmba Abel Yuven Bongmba Alice Ntala Bongmba And also to Odelia Y. Bongmba for her constant support
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 DEFINING THE HUMAN CRISIS IN AFRICA The Privatization of Power The Pauperization of the State The Prodigalization of the State The Proliferation of Violence
viii 1 9 10 17 23 28
CHAPTER 2 THE GENESIS OF THE AFRICAN CRISIS: THE MANIFESTATION OF A POLITICAL WILL Mamdani on Citizen and Subject Independence Opened a Space for Change Outworking of Political Will: Ahidjo’s Political Philosophy in Cameroon The Single Party as a Mechanism of Political Totality Totality Over Subjects
46 52 55
CHAPTER 3 RECOVERY IDEAS I: ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENTS, DEMOCRACY, AND GOVERNANCE Structural Adjustment Program Hopeful Initiatives: The African Union and Nepad Democracy Theorizing Democracy for the Future The Church and Democracy in Africa Good Governance Governance Is a Social Praxis
63 63 69 72 76 84 86 90
39 40 43
vi
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 4 RECOVERY IDEAS 2: CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE AFRICAN RENAISSANCE Civil Society Christian Churches and Faith-Based Organizations as Civil Society The African Renaissance Defining the Renaissance Debating the Renaissance The African Renaissance in Global Perspective
102 106 107 113 115
CHAPTER 5 TOWARD AN INTERSUBJECTIVE POLITICAL COMMUNITY IN AFRICA Wimbum Articulations of Intersubjectivity Subjectivity and the Political Community The Ego and the Alter Ego in Intersubjective Phenomenology Beyond Husserl
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