In a forthright and uncompromising manner, Olúfémi Táíwò explores Africa's hostility toward modernity and how that hostility has impeded economic development and social and political transformation. What has to change for Africa to be able to respond to the challenges of modernity and globalization? Táíwò insists that Africa can renew itself only by fully engaging with democracy and capitalism and by mining its untapped intellectual resources. While many may not agree with Táíwò's positions, they will be unable to ignore what he says. This is a bold exhortation for Africa to come into the 21st century.
Preface to the U.S. Edition
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Why Africa Must Get on Board the Modernity Express
2. The Sticky Problem of Individualism
3. The Knowledge Society and Its Rewards
4. Count, Measure, and Count Again
5. Process, not Outcome: Why Trusting Your Leader, Godfather, Ethnic Group or Chief May Not Best Secure Your Advantage
6. Against the Philosophy of Limits: Installing a Culture of Hope
Index
Olúfémi Táíwò is Professor of Africana Studies at the Africana Studies and Research Center, Cornell University. He is author of How Colonialism Preempted Modernity in Africa (IUP, 2010).
Whoever thinks he knows the problem of Africa had better read this book. Whoever feels there is no known solution that can apply should read this book first; but whoever wishes to remain unperturbed about the African predicament had better not read this book. This book almost certainly will challenge any mind. The author has evidently written down thoughts that cost him his sleep for many years now.
(African Studies Quarterly)
Táiwò's firm and fierce argument is timely because it unapologetically prompts questions. . .45.4 Winter 2014
(Research in AFRICAN LITERATURES)
This book is a brave and boisterous attempt to challenge Africa to follow a clear-cut development trajectory in the face of its disappointing performance in the development arena in the post-colonial period. Taiwo provides an interesting analysis of modernity as the key to attaining Africa's development. The author's bold declarations on Africa's development trajectory make the book exceedingly readable, and place Taiwo amongst the ranks of other African development trajectory scholars like Sabelo Ndlovu and Moeletsi Mbeki.
(African Affairs)
Africa Must Be Modern is an important statement that should be debated in both the academy that Táíwò critiques and the African public sphere he hopes to engage.
(Journal of West African History)
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