Independent Africa: The First Generation of Nation Builders

Independent Africa explores Africa's political economy in the first two decades of independence, focusing on nation-building, economic development, and international relations. It examines the construction of African nation-states, the growth of tropical economies, the exploration of indigenous models of economic development, and the diversification of agricultural economics and industrialization.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2023
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Independent Africa delves into the intricate political economy of Africa during the first two decades of independence through collaborative endeavors in nation-building, economic development, and international relations. By examining the political careers of four influential heads of state: Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Ahmed Sékou Touré of Guinea, Léopold Sédar Senghor, and Julius Kambarage Nyerere of Tanzania, Independent Africa explores four central themes: the construction of an African nation-state and its ideal characteristics; the growth of a tropical economy emerging from European colonialism; the exploration of an indigenous model of economic development, known as the "third way," in the context of the Cold War, which divided the world into two camps; and the utilization of internal resources and external opportunities to diversify agricultural economics and industrialize. This comprehensive study combines elements of history, economics, and political science to examine the profound connections between the first generation of African leaders and the shared ideas that shaped their nation-building and global endeavors.

Independent Africa delves into the intricate political economy of Africa during the first two decades of independence through collaborative endeavors in nation-building, economic development, and international relations. By examining the political careers of four influential heads of state: Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Ahmed Sékou Touré of Guinea, Léopold Sédar Senghor, and Julius Kambarage Nyerere of Tanzania, Independent Africa explores four central themes: the construction of an African nation-state and its ideal characteristics; the growth of a tropical economy emerging from European colonialism; the exploration of an indigenous model of economic development, known as the "third way," in the context of the Cold War, which divided the world into two camps; and the utilization of internal resources and external opportunities to diversify agricultural economics and industrialize. This comprehensive study combines elements of history, economics, and political science to examine the profound connections between the first generation of African leaders and the shared ideas that shaped their nation-building and global endeavors.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253066657