96 Book Reviews
profound Christian charity and forgiveness as exhibited by the new leaders constitute "a
demoostration of humm maturity so far rarely equalled in our world" (p133). The
pngmatism of reconciliation is also recognised. but this does not detract from how
imJX'eslive it is that there have been no purges, no war trials, no violent recriminations
against the former regime or the whites in general - even the opposing armies were
successfully integrated within a year, with few serious hitches.
A telling quotaticnis given from Maurice Nyagmnbo speaking in relation to Vander Byl,
previous Minisw of Defence and Foreign Affairs: "HI had not forgiven that man he would
still bemy gaoler". DeW aa1 writes 'Themoral insight of that reply is due to the solid ground
on which Zimbabwe 'spoli<:y of National Reconciliation is based" (pI). Ironically, the hand
of friendship was extended so readily at Independence, in cOmplete contrast to what many
whites feared would come, that some have failed even to recognise the magnitude of
forgiveness and acceptance, and have continued to feel justified and secure in maintaining
racist and separatist attitudes. The economic base has remained intact, and many, it is
argued, have seen little need for fundamental attitude change.
Theproblem of reconciliation between different sectors of the black population, notably
the two main political parties, is also touched on. The unrest and repression inMatabeleland
in 1982-3, the rise of the Zimbabwe Unity Movement under Tekere, and the uniting of
ZANU PF and ZAPU are all briefly explored, although a more critical appraisal of the
problems would have been useful.
As noted earlier, this is a very readable book, giving valuable insights into some of the
thinking and attitudes behind the known historical facts. Apart from the prominent focus
on moral imperatives, it also examines some of the cultural dimensions of conflict and
reconciliation. For example, hyperbolic speeches by African leaders are seen as culturally
expected by the masses, and are interpreted appropriately as a display of strength or
commitment. They are not intended to be taken literally, whereas the white population and
white politicians often misread them as insincere or false because they do interpret then in
a literal way.
Overall this is a valuable publication, not for the depth nor breadth of its historical
coverage, but for its attempt to portray personal attitudes, cultural understanding and the
moral base of its subjects. However, the political and economic realities that block a
fundamental social transformation are only partially alluded to and this weakens the book,
but it remains a refreshing and worthwhile addition to the literature.
Reviewed by Helen Jackson, Lecturer, School of Social Wode, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Modernising Hamger: Famine, Food Surplus and Farm Policy in the EEC and Africa,
Philip Raikes, Catholic Institute fO£International Relations/James CurreylHeineman, 1988
(28Opp, price not stated, ISBN 0 85255 111 8 hbk, 0 85255 112 6 pbk).
This thought provoking book, which evolved from a narrower research study on how
policies have affected agriculture in Africa, is an attempt to grapple with a series of
concomitant aspects of what the authorcalls the 'food crisis' in Africa. It is not an easy book
to review or read. In part this is because the author is determined to look at policies and
Book Reviews. 97
implications from a refreshingly unblinkered perspective. He does not embrace IlIlY
particular theoretical framework which would bind the considerable loose ends he unravels
together in a coherent fashion. Raikes appears to be disenchllIlted with the limitations of
some of the obvious ways in which he could have organisedhis material: by writing amllIlual
of policy recommendations which are unrealistic, or by adopting the disciplinary or
ideological scaffolding offered by either economics or Marxism.
The book is divided into two parts. After IlIl introductory chapter the author devotes
three chapters to setting the scene in Africa, by focusing on the cause IlIldnature of the 'food
glp' and taking a closer look at the implications of food shortages and famine. The second
part of the book investigates the international situation, with chapters on the EEe, the
relationship to project aid. food security and agriculture policy. The fmal chapter is IlIl
attempt to treat some of the disparate strands that have emerged from adifferent perspective.
The author concedes that in hindsight he could have organised his material differently.
His discomfort with the arrangement is evident throughout the book, and one occasionally
suspects that one is reading a text which has not yet jelled. This notwithstanding. he writes
lucidly and simply and the book offers a provoking smorgasbord of perspectives on
different aspects of the food problem: distribution, marketing, food production, agricultural
policy, peasant agriculture. famine, food shortage, African governments' different responses
to food security and agriculture (examples from Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique IlIld
other AfriCllIl countries abound). bias towards technological innovation, food aid, the EEe' s
Common Agricultural Policy, US IlIldEuropean protectionism, corruption ("Kleptocracy''),
and development project design.
Two interesting interrelated themes dominate. Raikes makes much of the fU'St, and the
now familiar, argument that the recent approaches to food shortage (in reality caused more
by poor distribution systems and a concentration on the wrong kind of macro development
projects) have been technicalresponses tlWhaveunderratedpoliticalllIld social dimensions.
Without flamboyance and jargon Raikes convincingly demonstrates that this multifaceted
problem cannot be adequately understood or addressed by submitting it to the filter of IlIl
ideological or disciplinary Cage, by deliberately forcing us to infer the implicit conclusions
for ourselves. The dissatisfaction caused by the lack of forthright 'recommendations' is
more thIlIl made up for by the seriousness of the questions he raises.
Raikes is able to point to an ironic and false congruity of thought from different camps.
He resists the temptation to attack IlIlYeasy targets or to set up straw-horses, but prefers to
tease out more complex interrelationships. An important example of this is his rejection of
the two incon1patible and simplistic 'cxplmations' of the food problems of Africa: those
1hat blame imperialism IlIld theinte:rnationalistcapitalistsystem (ietheIMF or World Bank),
or thole that blame high population growth, low productivity and the policies of the AfricllIl
governments themselves. He argues that although these views .. e diametrically opposed
the protJiOnists of each venrioo. agree who1ehearted1y that one must modernise agriculture
1broughteclmologies, inputs andequipmentoriginating frcm Westemor Socialistcountries.
They share the "usumption of the necessarily beneficial and socially neutral impact of
.'modem qriculture'''. Raikes ll11p1y demonstrates the falsity of this assumption.
ThoIeCOlld theme thatpcrmeates this book iamoreJUbtle andhu Jeure1evance to those
c:ancemed with food rbortI&e or development pt!t' •• Raikes' intellectual honesty and
98 Book Revi4ws
confidence in the import of his arguments results in his deliberate 'signposting' of the
perceived weakness of the tools of his discipline (economics), his ideological inclination
(Marxism), his terms of reference fo~ the original study (designed by the EEC), and his
organisation of the material. This book thus acquires a significance beyond development
and emergency studies, because it would be a useful book to use in refming 'write ups' of
social science research. It would help many 'blocked' research students who are engaged
in the gruelling business of testing their 'scientific' and 'ideological' hypothesis against
their empirical findings.
I recommend this book both to those interested in development and 'food' and to those
who might gain from seeing how convincing (and rewarding) an argument can be without
a conceptual framework to organise and hammer the points home.
Reviewed by Gerry Salole, Director, Save theOrlldre.n Federation (USA), Harare, Zimbabwe.
Trends in World Social Development. The Social Progress or Nations 1970-1987,
Richard J Estes, Praeger, New York, 1988 (no price available).
The pedagogy of social development assumes a unique position in the context of social work
education, practice, and research (SW-EPR) for two important reasons. First, traditional
social work programmes in the United State do not emphasise, much less require, social
development as an essential or specialised component of professional education. The list
of entries in the Encyclopaedia of Social Work does not include social development
(NASW, 1987). Second, SW-EPR's continuing crisis of confidence as a fullyfledged
profession warrants the exposition of developmental issues beyond its approaches. These
premises have special ramifications for social technology that is designed to improve the
human condition 'Beyond the Third World' (Mohan and Sharma, 1987).
Estes' Trends in World Social Development: The Social Progress of Nations 1970-
1987 is a welcome sequel to his previous study (1984). World trends in this field are
suggestive of numerous dimensions that are crucial for understanding social development
in a cross-national perspective. The Estes report on the progress of nations is timely and
authentic. It is a chilling reminder of the hopeless human condition that people themselves
have contributed to. The focces of dehumanisation - ranging from racism, colonialism and
neoglobalism to hunger, disease and ignocance - thwart societal development and global
welfare. 'Bioglobalism', therefore, should be the ultimate agenda of social development
(Mohan, 1988a). Trends in World Socilll Deveiopmentlendssupportto a global paradigm
that underscores the oneness of humanity, inequalities notwithstanding.
InThe Progress of Nations Estes made a courageous attempt to assess global social
progress in a troubled world. The later book "was undertaken for the purpose of better
understanding themyriad social, economic, andpoliticalfactocs that sustain social inequality"
(pxvi). A perusal of detailed tabular structures indicates the diversities, complexities and
perversities of nations that are preoccupied with games of mutual destruction rather thanrea1
life-enhancing endeavours. "Man is recklessly wiping out life on earth" asserts Linden
lamenting "The Death of Birth" (1989:32). Social development seeks to promote lifesustaining
systems at the expense of destructive projects. Trends in World Social