Africa's Development Impasse : Rethinking the Political Economy of Transformation

“Orthodox strategies for socio-economic development have failed spectacularly in Southern Africa. Neither the developmental state nor neoliberal reform seems able to provide a solution to Africa’s problems. In Africa’s Development Impasse, Stefan Andreasson analyses this failure and explores the potential for post-development alternatives. Examining the post-independence trajectories of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the book shows three different examples of this failure to overcome a debilitating colonial legacy. Andreasson then argues that it is now time to resuscitate post-development theory’s challenge to conventional development. In doing this, he claims, we face the enormous challenge of translating post-development into actual politics for a socially and politically sustainable future and using it as a dialogue about what the aims and aspirations of post-colonial societies might become. This important fusion of theory with empirical case studies will be essential reading for students of development politics and Africa.” Orthodox Strategies For Socio-economic Development Have Failed Spectacularly In Southern Africa. Neither The Developmental State Nor Neoliberal Reform Seems Able To Provide A Solution To Africa's Problems. Africa's Development Impasse Analyses This Failure And Explores The Potential For Alternatives. Examining Why Botswana, Zimbabwe And South Africa Have Been Unable To Overcome A Debilitating Colonial Legacy, The Book Argues That It Is Time To Rethink The Political Economy Of Development. Building On The Path-breaking Work Of Post-development Theorists, Stefan Andreasson Navigates A New Way Through The Current Development Impasse. This Important Fusion Of Theory With Empirical Case Studies Is Essential Reading For Students Of Development Politics And Africa.--jacket. Foundations For Development In Southern Africa -- The Elusive Developmental Nexus -- Beyond Development -- Botswana: Paternalism And The Developmental State -- Zimbabwe: The Failing State Revisited -- South Africa: Normalization Of Uneven Development. Stefan Andreasson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [221]-248) And Index. Annotation Orthodox strategies for socio-economic development have failed spectacularly in Southern Africa. Neither the developmental state nor neoliberal reform seems able to provide a solution to Africa's problems. InAfrica's Development Impasse, Stefan Andreasson analyses this failure and explores post-development alternatives. Looking at the post-independence histories of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the book shows three different examples of this failure to overcome the debilitating colonial legacy. Andreasson then argues that it is now time to resuscitate post-development theory's challenge to conventional development. In doing this, he claims, we face the enormous challenge of translating post-development into actual politics for a sustainable future and using it as a dialogue about what the aims and aspirations of post-colonial societies might become. This important fusion of theory with new empirical research will be essential reading for students of development politics and Africa