The African Development Dilemma Revisited: Theoretical and Empirical Explorations

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	The African Development Dilemma Revisited: Theoretical and Empirical Explorations
Authors:	Krymkowski, Daniel H. Hall, Raymond L.
Year:	1990
Periodical:	Ethnic and Racial Studies
Volume:	13
Issue:	3
Period:	July
Pages:	315-344
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Subsaharan Africa Kenya Africa
Subjects:	Kikuyu Kipsigis development ethnicity Development and Technology Economics and Trade Ethnic and Race Relations
Abstract:	This article considers the issue of ethnic diversity in black Africa. In the first part of the article the authors discuss the various implications and possible consequences of the extensive ethnic diversity that characterizes most African countries, paying special attention to the relationship between the multi-ethnic State and socioeconomic development. In the second part the authors delve more deeply into the nature of ethnic diversity in contemporary Africa by examining in detail the cultural differences between two particular ethnic groups, the Kipsigis and Kikuyu of Kenya. Their empirical analyses indicate that some of the historic differences between these groups disappeared during the course of modernization. However, their findings also show that certain traditional aspects of both Kipsigis and Kikuyu culture remain. They conclude by noting the persistent importance of ethnicity as African States continue to struggle with the 'development dilemma'. Bibliogr., notes, ref.