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Some Remarks on Culture, Development and Revolution in Africa
Author(s) -
WAMBA ERNEST WAMBA DIA
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of historical sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.186
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1467-6443
pISSN - 0952-1909
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-6443.1991.tb00119.x
Subject(s) - expansionism , political economy , colonialism , consciousness , victory , capitalism , bureaucracy , democracy , political science , genocide , face (sociological concept) , authoritarianism , sociology , law , social science , epistemology , philosophy , politics
Self‐celebrations of capitalism are again the order of the day since the collapse of European bureaucratic socialist states. Attempts at ‘normalizing’ colonialism after the ‘victory’ of the US‐led coalition in the Gulf war are being made as well. Cultural phenomena are proving crucial for both celebrants of and resisters against the war. Development without consideration of cultural specificities can only be imperialist expansionism. When imposed,‘democracy’,‘peace’ and even ‘revolution’ can only be cultural madness. In the face of the threat to cultural diversity, this article tries to sensitize readers to the need to take culture seriously. Cultures are forms of consciousness; they are decisive on whether people condone genocide or oppose it.