Knowledge generation, political action and African development: a polycentric approach

Akinola, Shittu Raimi

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Title:	Knowledge generation, political action and African development: a polycentric approach
Author:	Akinola, Shittu Raimi
Year:	2007
Periodical:	International Journal of African Renaissance Studies
Volume:	2
Issue:	2
Pages:	217-238
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	development institutional change political science
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18186870701751707
Abstract:	The dilemma raised in this article is whether African societies are capable of generating knowledge which will move the continent towards a development grounded in reflection and choice; or whether Africa is destined to depend forever on the whims of foreign financial institutions for its progress. Africa's development crisis is marked by the persistent gap between the application of intellectual rigours and political action. Despite abundant development potential (human and natural resources, and scientific knowledge), coupled with reform declarations and commitments by African leaders over the past four decades, development remains illusory. This article examines the relationship between key development players (African public officials and African scholars), and how generated knowledge is applied to respond to the needs of African citizens. Using the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework (otherwise known as new institutionalism) this article examines weaknesses in the interaction of knowledge, political action and development, while at a local level African citizens, through shared strategies and problem-solving interdependency, are effectively transforming indigenous knowledge inherited from their parents to confront daily challenges. The article suggests ways of bridging the gap between development players by proposing an African Development Institutional Mechanism (ADIM) aimed at enabling key development players to operate in synergy. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]

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