INTRODUCTION.
        In the current discussions on the new International Economic Order it
has been increasingly recognized that underdevelopment largely derives from
and is being reinforced by the very existence of the developed countries. The
gap between the developed and the underdeveloped economies remains
insurmountable and in fact it is widening.
        In this issue of Utafiti most of the articles discuss some aspects of the
way the world economy functions to reinforce the problems of under development.
        Dr. Blaho examines the problem of the transfer of technology to tne
developing countries. The author shows the crucial role of transnational
monopoly as a channel of transfer of technology and argues that the hidden
income drain associated with this process of transfer is increasing. He argues
that own development of technology is necessary and no advantageous
technological import is conceivable. However, the author is of. the opinion
that an adequate protection of a country against monopoly potentialities and
monopoly rents is possible only if a well thought out and concerted policy
concept is formulated.
        One of the areas in which the underdeveloped countries have lagged
behind is in scientific and technological manpower. Mitschke-Collande shows
how dependence on foreign capital, choice of technology and the respective
organization affect the socio-economic development of underdeveloped econ-
omies and the requisite skill generation and requirements. The impact of
choice of technology on the structure of technical manpower is demonstrated.
         The role of international firms in underdeveloped economies is an
 issue under current discussion. Barker and Wield present empirical
 information about foreign investments in Tanzania. The list of firms is put
 in context by showing the historical setting in which investment has taken
 place in Tanzania and by examining the extent of foreign investment in the
 country. Although by now the Lonrho assets have been taken up by the
 government, the picture revealed largely reflects the extent of-foreign
 investment in Tanzania.
         Or. Tcube and Mlonyeni briefly outline the history of the structural
 fentures o\~ the '"oulh African economy. The authors show how the working
 clrss hns boon fragmented and distorted by the racial question. The trade
  roh'i ionships l-otwoon South Africa and the developed capitalist counties
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 are analysed with special reference to the military aspect and it is argued
that the South African bourgeoisie stands to gain from this set up.
        Clayton's commenton Dr. Tschannerl's       case study uses the 1969
 household budget survey data to argue that an insignificant proportion of
  export proceeds spent on luxury consumer goods in Tanzania were
 hard to find contrary to Dr. Tschanner l' s formulation in applying S amir
  Amm's model to Tanzania. Clayton argues that this shows that Samir
 Amin's model needs careful specification in particular     cases.
        In his focus on fertility trends in Africa Dr. Kamuzora argues
 that the relationship between the level of fertility and a group of socio-
 economicvariables is very weak. The author discusses the factors
 behind the current high fertility rate in Africa.
        Dr. Goulbourne di.scu8ses the ideological functions in Tanzania
 and argues that in Tanzania the dominant class has established its
 hegemonyover the dominated,classes b~ using the apparatuses         of state
 but its success has been dl,lelargely to that class's  use of political
                       •
 ideology.
        Prof. 10sekwa examines the doctrine of the one party state in
 relation to humanrights and the rule of law. The author argue9 that the
 one party,state is  a valid expression of democracy although there are
nonetheless problems which exist and which should be faced. The author
 poses some questions and draws on the Tanzanian experience to show
 the various ~ttempts which have been made to overcome them.
       Dr. Bwatwaargues that the major obstacle in rural transformation
in Africa is illiteracy.   The author discusses the role of schools in
removingilliteracy amongadults as a means to effecting rural transformation.
       In "Soyinka's drama of essence" James Gibbs gives a broad outline
of Soyinka's argument and follows it through in greater      detail to suggest
some of its written sources and indicate some of SOyinka's variant inter-
'pretations. The author argues that SOyinka's drama of essence was a
result of reading rather than fieldwork and t11atSoyinka's contribution
was in originality of insight and approach rather than extensive,      mundane
research.
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