Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Abrahamsen, Rita

Titel

African Studies and the Postcolonial Challenge

Ist Teil von

• African affairs (London), 2003-04, Vol.102 (407), p.189-210

Erscheinungsjahr

2003

Quelle

Worldwide Political Science Abstracts

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Postcolonial theory is frequently dismissed as too theoretical & esoteric, & hence irrelevant to the study of contemporary African politics & society. This article challenges this dismissal of postcolonialism, & argues for a more constructive dialogue between African studies & postcolonial approaches. Recognizing that postcolonialism cannot be regarded as a uniform body of theory, or a school of thought in the conventional academic sense, the article focuses on certain key themes & problematizations of relevance to contemporary Africa. In particular, it elaborates on postcolonialism's conceptualization of power, & argues that the recognition of the relationship between power, discourse, & political institutions & practices has much to contribute to the study of African politics. These insights are further investigated through a discussion of development, hybridity, & resistance. The article concludes that both African studies & postcolonial approaches stand to benefit from a more constructive engagement. Adapted from the source document.