JOfITIUll ifSocial Developntefll in Africa (1991), 6,1, 75-94
Book Reviews
Social Development In Afrka 1950-1985, Arega Yimam, AvelmyGower, London, 1990
(364pp, £35 hbk).
This book, a product of a PhDthesis, provides an historical perspective on the problems of
underdevelopment in Africa, and shows how a developmental approach focusing on
economic growth has resulted in the marginalisation of the majority of the African
IJOlXllation.The author sees social development as an alternative development approach
that views people as both the means and end of development. He, therefore, attempts to
provide a conceptual framework for social development and discu.sses its constituent
elements.
For the reader who is not familiar with the political and socioeconomic circumstances
of Africa, the Introductory Chapter provides very useful background information and a
useful analytic framework. Chapter 2 discusses the historical develop:nen1of social welfare
inAfrica, and observes that before Independence social welfare senices were provided by
tbreesystems: theextendedfamily, the church andthecolonialadministration. Unfortunately
this Chapter is not well organised and fails to provide ameaningfullink between these three
systems of welfare provision.
In Chapter 3 the author draws attention to the lack of progress in the area of social
development between 1954 and 1960, but fails to clearly articulate the reasons far this
apparent lack of progress. 1he author does not discuss at length the impact of the
development approaches adopted by colonial governments. He does, however, observe
that the majority of African people live inpoverty, without access to basic life sustaining
goods and senices. Despite this weakness, the author provides a satisfactory conceptual
framework for social development He sees social develoJXnent lIS "a crossbreed between
social welfare and community development", and argues that social welfare can only
promote social development if it adopts a developmental outlook. Social development is
seen as encompassing social service programmes, social welfare programmes, social
security, youth programmes, labour relations progrmunes, population planning, agrarian
reform and food security. 1he distinction the author makes between social welfare IIld
social services is somewhat confusing as it lacks conccetenes5.
InChapter4 the author examines possible alternative approaches to Africandevelopmem.
Hepoints out that there are only two choices ava.ilabIe to African governments, capitalism
and socialism. He is quick to observe, however, that the "politicalllld economic systems
currently in operation in many African countries are the result of historical accident or
internal pressures rather than properly chosen, properly Idapted, and integrated policies",
Aidhas inmany cases influenced the ideological orientation of some governments in Africa.
What is important inthis connection is adopting strategies thatpromotese1freliance IOdself
sufficiatcy .
76 BooĞRel/~W8
In Part 2 of the book the author analyses selected areas of social development: social
welfare, education, health,. housing, poJQlation planning, social security and social
development training. However, the discussion on urbanisation is misplaced and would
have been more useful if it had been part of the :rD.troductory Chap~. The aulhor's
conclusion is that these areas of social development were moulded on the experiences and
value premises of the former colonial powers, hence their inability to respond approJIiately
to the needs of Africa. The author sums up his discussion by pointing out that development
in Africa is unbalanced as it favours the mban elite - whilst the rmal people who constitutes
70% of the population remain impoverished and marginalised.
Social development is a topical subject, particularly in developing countries, and this
book makes a meaningful contribution towards an understanding of social developnent
Unfortunately the author spoiled the flow of discussion by dwelling on unnecessary and
unfocused details and the issues raised in the discussion do not seem to link. However for
the patient reader the book provides an interesting analytic framework for understanding the
problem of underdevelopment in Africa.
Reviewed by E Kaseke, Principal, School of Social Work. Harare.
The Role of Community P&rtk:lpatlon In Development Planning and Project
Management, Report of a Workshop in Washington DC Sept 22 - 2S 1986, Michael
Bamberger, Economic Development InstituteJIBRD, Seminar Report No 13, World BIIIk,
Washington IX, 1988 (361 + xpp, USS5,95).
The concept of community participation has gained enormous popularity in social
development circles. It pe.1:Vades the literature and is a recurring topic for discussion It
international gatherings. A large number of reports, studies and journal articles on the
subject have been JQblished, and it is an integral element of the philosophies of large
development agencies such as UNICEF which has been an avid proponent in recent years.
Non Government Organisations (NGOs) have also campaigned for enhanced community
participation, particularly at the 1oca11evelwhere many of their programmes and services
are focused. Community participation has a strong appeal for social workers.
Although community participation is frequently claimed as unique terrain for social
development endeavour. It has attracted the attention of economists as well. As this report
shows, hard headed economists at the World BII11k'sEconomic Development Institute
(ED!) have come to the conclusion that social factors are important in development mdthat
(pvii) "the involvement of intended benefIciaries in the planning and implementation of
projects, applications of social analysis in developnent platming, and gender issues in
developing planning and project management" are worthy of careful consideration.
Founded by the World BII11kin 1955, to train economists responsible for development
planning, investment analysis and project implementation. the ED! has served as 11\
important resomce for World Bank personnel and senior civil servants concerned with
economic development issues in member countries. Recognising that the social aspects of
development have beenneglected in its training programmes, EDI organisedan international
workshop on community participation in Washington in September 1986. Participants