Designing West Africa : Prelude to 21st Century Calamity

Many African nations are now described as 'fourth world nations', ones which essentially have no future. How could this have happened? Through the scope of the 1960's, the first decade of African independence, Peter Schwab presents a compelling and provocative answer to this question. Designing West Africa tells the story of a pivotal decade in African history, when the fate of the continent was decided. Focusing on the six most visible leaders of the period - painting detailed portraits of them both as leaders and as people - Schwab looks at how Africa served as a ground to play out larger international conflicts, namely the Cold War. He does not fall back on blaming non-African involvement for the failure to build a visible leadership for the continent; rather he critiques the African leaders themselves for their individual failings. Many African Countries Are Now Described As Fourth World--nations That Essentially Have No Future. How Could This Have Happened? Through The Scope Of The 1960s, The First Decade Of African Independence, Peter Schwab Presents A Compelling And Provocative Answer To This Question. Designing West Africa Tells The Story Of A Pivotal Decade In African History, When The Fate Of The Continent Was Decided. Focusing On The Six Most Visible Leaders Of The Period - Sekou Toure, Kwame Nkrumah, And Others - Schwab Shows How Africa Served As A Ground For The Larger International Conflict Of The Cold War. He Does Not Fall Back Solely On Blaming Non-african Involvement For The Failure To Build A Viable Leadership For The Continent; Rather, He Critiques The African Leaders Themselves For Their Individual Failings.--jacket. Introduction : U.s., European, And West African Ideological Designs -- William V.s. Tubman : Liberia's Conservative Designer -- Félix Houphouët-boigny : A French Client In The Ivory Coast -- Senegal And Léopold Sédar Senghor : Francophile Nation And Poet -- Nigeria : The State That Lost Its Future -- Kwame Nkrumah : Ghana's Nationalist Icon -- Sékou Touré : Guinea's Fidel Castro, And His Connection To The Political Thought Of Mali's Modibo Keita -- Conclusion : The Appalling Aftermath. Peter Schwab. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [149]-167) And Index. Many African countries are now described as "Fourth World nations," ones which essentially have no future. How could this have happened? Through the scope of the 1960s, the first decade of African independence, Peter Schwab presents a compelling and provocative answer to this question. Designing West Africa tells the story of a pivotal decade in African history, when the fate of the continent was decided. Focusing on the six most visible leaders of the period--Sékou Touré, Kwame Nkrumah, and others--Schwab shows how Africa served as a grounds to play out larger international conflicts, namely the Cold War. He does not fall back solely on blaming non-African involvement for the failure to build a viable leadership for the continent; rather, he critiques the African leaders themselves for their individual failings Many African states are now described as 'fourth world nations', ones which essentially have no future. Uncovering how this was allowed to happen, this title highlights the key political decisions that led to the current situation, and the aftermath we have to deal with today