Book Reviews 89
argument. Thus, the proposal to re-think social policy in light of the multidimensional
analysis of globalization constitutes a key policy as well as a research
issue.
Although the paper makes very interesting reading, there are a few problem
areas. The choice of thematic areas for research, whilst relevant, is too broad and
one is not too sure that justice will be done to all these chosen areas of study.
A major weakness of the paper, though, lies in the serious omission of the
quantitative and qualitative methodological techniques the author intends to use.
Clearly, in the final analysis, the legitimacy of many of the author's alternative
views on the issues of globalization and social policy must rest on the extent to
which they can amass relevant data and information on the issues, and so the
methodological issues should definitely have been elaborated in a lot more detail
than has been done.
The shortcomings of the paper notwithstanding, Tade Akin Aina's paper on
globalization is an interesting work which provides a critical appraisal of the whole
globalization debate. His attempt to deglorify globalization may be an ambitious
undertaking but his theoretical frame convinces the reader that he is very likely able
to do so.
lttherefore remains to be seen whether in fact he can demonstrate his perception
of globalization as a predominantly pervasive or negative process in relation to
social policy.
Reviewed by Dr Theresa Moyo. Economics Department. Box MP 167. Mount
Pleasant, University o/Zimbabwe.
The Tanzanian Peasantry: Further Studies, edited by Peter G Forster and Sam
Maghimbi,.Avebury, Aldershot, England (1995), ISBN 1-85628-493-X, 329 pp
inc index. Price: NIK .
.Many studies have been carried out on Tanzania, focused on the need for rural
development with a view to alleviation of poverty and the concomitant precarious
conditions of existence. The context in which these studies took place was greatly
influenced by the policies of Julius Nyerere, a leader who anticipated a large-scale
transformation of society, by the creation of ujamaa villages.
In this collection of essays, the contributors take note of Tanzania's transition
phase when its leadership flirted with the Bretton Woods institutions, a period
which was characterised by conflict with them and eventually, the capitulation. Not
only did this result in a change of leadership, but also an acceptance of economic
"liberalisation" in the context of "structural adjustment."
Such changes it is argued, were not dealt with in the contributions to the first
90 Book Reviews
volume of the Tanzanian Peasantry which appeared in 1992. The present collection
pays particular attention to recent changes, as new policies are implemented
and have their impact throughout the Tanzanian countryside.
The book has a total of 15 chapters and is divided into five parts. Under the
theoretical and macroscopic considerations, an effort is made to define Tanzanian
realities; the rise and fall of ujamaa (Nyerere's populism), conflict between state
and grassroots-based institutions in Tanzania's rural development, and finally the
performance of the agricultural sector under structural adjustment.
Part two consists of three chapters that explore land and environmental issues
in the districts of Lake Kilimanjaro, Mwanga and the Pare mountains.
Part three focuses on the role of indigenous technical knowledge, especially the
importance of using participatory approaches. One interesting chapter focuses on
the role of indigenous technical knowledge in increased food production.
The final section addresses three major issues around the state-administered
justice and modes of social control in society.
There is no doubt that the book covers a wide variety of topics on Tanzania's
rural development and the challenges the country faces under a "liberalised"
context. It will appeal to people in the academy and is likely to be be restricted to
those who specialise in peasant studies. This can safely be proven if one takes time
to reflect on the remarks in Part One, whose import will make the reader feel that
under Julius Nyerere, for example, "socialism" was a metaphor which did not refer
to an economic model or plan, but rather a process in which people collectively
arrive at "working solutions" to issues that have been located for discussion.
For those who studied Tanzania in the early days, Nyerere would have wanted
socialism to be closely linked to the ujamaa village policy of collective ruraI
production. There is no better way of initiating oneself into this book than by
reflecting on this.
Reviewed by Thomas Deve. Assistant Editor. Sapes Trust. Harare. Zimbabwe.
Woman Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Healing through Grief Work
- Beyond Survival, Judy Chew (1997), The Haworth Press, New York. ISBN: 0-
7890-0110-1 (hlb), 0-7890-0284-1 (plb), I60pp inc index. Price: U5$31 ,96 (hlb);
U5$14,95 (pll».
This practical guide for students in counselling settings provides a systematic
method with which to conceptualise and conduct group work with women who
have experienced childhood sexual abuse. Experienced counselling practitioners
in psychology, social work, psychiatry, and nursing, will also benefit from this
session-by-session account of how to conduct group work.