National development and post colonial linkages in Mozambique and Guinea Bissau: an exploratory study, 1983

Ofor, Ejeh Charles

1980-1989

The major concern of this study is to examine the current process of national development in the two African states of Mozambique and Guinea Bissau. Recognizing the fact that the problem of development is the foremost challenge to all contemporary African nations, the pursuit of an alternative approach to the process of development by the two countries, is certainly a break-away from the change in continuity of the colonial capitalist mode of production, characteristic of Africa today. Contrary to the general practice in Africa which limits the concept of development to economics, and the enrichment of the petty bourgeoisie, the process of national development in Mozambique and Guinea Bissau has rightfully been conceptualized in terms of its economic, social, political, and ideological complexities, while the uplift of the masses occupies the center of the economic activity. The study critically examined the economic dimensions of the development process in both Mozambique and Guinea Bissau. The specific concern centered on industrialization and economic integration, the design and character of agriculture, the mechanisms of distribution of national wealth, the alternative measures of unemployment control, and the strategy followed in an attempt to eliminate post-colonial linkages. Viewing the role of politics in the overall process of development as an essential one, especially with regard to structural transformation and mobilization, the study examined the political dimensions of development in these countries. The focus was placed on the role of the party, structural transformation and mass participation, the distribution of power and national integration, political consciousness and rural politicization, in addition to their various implications on the development process. The study shows that the political elements have rendered the process of development, creative and complementary, cohesive, as well as dynamic. With regard to the social dimensions of development, the study examined the particularity of education, the unique innovations in health care and housing, and the progress made so far in the attainment of self-reliance. Faced with the task of assessing the efficacity of this approach to national development, the study without pretending to provide the cure for all development problems in Africa, concluded by uncovering the commendable merits and uniqueness of the approach, but also cautions against blind copying, while at the same time it encourages others to take a critical look at this experience in an attempt to assess the extent to which it can apply to their concrete conditions.

text

application/pdf

1983-12-01

dissertation

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Atlanta University

Political Science

Clark Atlanta University

Georgia--Atlanta

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:1983_ofor_ejeh_c