Language: English - Collections - Michigan Memories Search Results

21281. Communication for rural development in Africa

Date Issued:: 1986-06-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:: Africa Media Review

21282. Changing community obligations to the elderly in contemporary Africa

Description:: This paper is divided into four sections; the first examines briefly and generally the position of the elderly in traditional Africa and stresses especially their political and economic roles. Next it looks at the social and economic transformation which followed the colonisation of Africa and its effect on the position of elders. In the third section are discussed the responses of the elders to these changes and the extent to which they have tried to retain their positions against opposing forces of change. In the concluding section the paper argues that African states need to provide an alternative form of social security in the light of the diminishing economic security of the elderly in present day Africa.
Date Issued:: 1989-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:: Journal of Social Development in Africa

21283. The effectiveness of using school children in sample and data collection

Description:: This pilot work conducted between 1987 and 1989, indicated that school children, guided by their school teacher, were effective for collecting water samples and to a limited extent, the children were usefully involved in providing basic environment data. Instructions need to be unambiguously clear and the purpose for which the work will be used must be understood in order to ensure maximum cooperation from both staff and the children. The process is economic, saves time and effort and penetrates the community extensively. The key issues are centred on using school children as partners in research. Some teachers found the involvement of the children on a practical level useful in the education process. The technique was successfully used for a specific task in ten different schools in two districts in Zimbabwe and it was felt that it could be developed for general application when the limitations indicated are overcome.
Date Issued:: 1993-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:: Journal of Social Development in Africa

21284. Assessing Sub-Saharan Africa's structural adjustment programmes

Description:: The view that Africa's structural adjustment programmes have largely failed for not decreasing income inequalities has become commonplace. This thesis is correct, however, only if these programmes sought greater income equality and defined equality as their critics do. Basing its argument on the origin of the structural adjustment programmes, this article suggests that this assumption is incorrect, and suggests criteria by which to assess these programmes' success or failure on their own terms. It is argued, however, that this latter exercise is critically impeded by our reliance on quantitative indicators which are rarely sufficiently sensitive to capture the essence of such success or failure. Alternate indicators and how they may be collected are suggested. From their inception, sub-Saharan Africa's structural adjustment programmes have been criticised, mainly on the grounds that they more distort their constituents' development than advance it. Such distortions set in, it is suggested, because such economic development as these programmes achieve is not accompanied by an attendant degree of social progress, defined usually in terms of more egalitarian income distribution (Bourguignon, de Melo & Suwa, 1991; Sahn, 1994; Walkins, 1995). Armed with this thesis, analysts then assemble much convincing data to prove their point, such as the financial enrichment of the business, political and administrative elite at the expense of the majority, an ever-increasing proportion of who are relegated to living in poverty. This paper assesses the thesis that sub-Saharan Africa's structural adjustment programmes were introduced, among other reasons, in the name of egalitarianism. Its main argument is that to prove that these programmes fail to distribute income progressi vely, it is necessary first to show that they sought greater income equality and, second, that they define equality as their critics do.
Date Issued:: 1997-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:: Journal of Social Development in Africa

21285. The centrality of a historical perspective to the analysis of modern social problems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Description:: This paper advances the view that the analyses of the origins and persistent growth of the social problems affecting most sub-Saharan African countries today must proceed from a historical perspective. It is argued that for sociologists, social workers, political scientists, policy makers, administrators and social scientists in general to provide well-rounded accounts of thebirth and spread of social problems and develop well-informed policies for the alleviation of the same, they must not overlook the role played by history. The authors utilise the cases of ethnicity and corruption to demonstrate that historical forces, particularly those associated with the process of colonisation, are pertinent to the understanding of social problems in the African continent. The outcomes of the social, economic and political restructuring accompanying colonisation such as the policy of divide and rule, the creation of a new economic order, the discriminatory allocation of resources and the emergence of a new political culture are considered to be central to the comprehensive explanation of ethnic tensions and conflicts and/or corruption. Because such outcomes have a legacy that has been extended to the neo-colonial period, it is concluded that these and/or other related factors are essential components in the explanation oftoday's social problems.
Date Issued:: 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:: Journal of Social Development in Africa