Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Jinadu, L A

Titel

Some Reflections on African Political Scientists and African Politics

Ist Teil von

• The West African Journal of Sociology and Political Science, 1978-01, Vol.1 (3), p.232-248

Erscheinungsjahr

1978

Quelle

Sociological Abstracts

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• The social roles of African political scientists are examined along three dimensions: (1) their relationships with government & ruling regimes, (2) their use of critical theory or political philosophy, & (3) their study of their own societies. Political science is often seen in Africa as irrelevant or subversive by those in power, although these attitudes are slowly changing. Also, when political scientists do become part of the policy-making process, they are often viewed solely as advisors, a position that their long-term views seem to encourage. Political scientists should use social criticism as a means to lead to socialism, which seems to be the only useful ideology for Africa. They should help identify socialist goals & use social criticism as a means of political commitment. The influence of colonization must be removed from scholarship, which has to begin to examine the contradictions inherent in African societies. This should extend to the teaching aspects as well as research. Political scientists should focus on their own societies, using class conflict & class formation approaches. M. Migalski.