MACMILLAN Africa and Globalization: Novel Multidisciplinary Perspectives

This edited volume examines the challenges of globalization in light of the need to revisit and reconceptualize the notion of Pan-Africanism. The first part of the book examines globalization and Africa’s socioeconomic and political development in this century by using the Diopian Pluridisciplinary Methodology. This approach is imperative because the challenges faced by Africa vis-à-vis globalization and socioeconomic development are so multiplexed that no single disciplinary approach can adequately analyze them and yield substantive policy recommendations. The chapters in the second part analyze the imperatives for Africa’s global knowledge production, development, and economic transformation in the face of the pressures of globalization. Part two demonstrates an urgent need for Africa’s significant participation in the global knowledge economy in order to meet the continent’s modern transformation and development aspirations. The final part examines lessons from old and new Pan-Africanism and how they can be utilized to deal with the challenges emanating from the forces of modern globalization. With its multidisciplinary approach to a wide range of pressing, modern issues for the African content, this book is essential reading for scholars across the social sciences interested in where Africa is now and where it should go in this increasingly globalized world. Review “In this powerful, must-read book, Setiloane and Bangura have assembled a masterpiece that focuses on the understated consequences of globalization ranging from social media changing the landscape of in-person communication to the accelerated deaths of African languages. It also focuses on globalization’s insidious impact on infant mortality―a preference for the ‘modern’ infant formula over traditional breastmilk―and promotion of consumerism. The book closes on a hopeful note: by weakening boundaries of statehood, globalization can lead to the resurgence of a powerful and effective Pan-Africanism for the betterment of African peoples.”  - James T. Gire, Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, Virginia Military Institute “Much of the literature on globalization concentrates on rapidly growing countries in selected regions of interest to state planners. Examples are Asian countries such as Taiwan, Singapore and South Korean. Large Latin American states as well as the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are also frequently discussed. This anthology edited by Setiloane and Bangura fills a void in the literature by chapters entirely on the effects of globalization in Africa.”  -Walter W. Hill, Professor and former Chair of the Political Science Department and founder of the African and African Diaspora Studies Program, St. Mary’s College of Maryland  “At the hands of two experienced and respected editors, the connections between Africa and globalization attain intellectual prominence and critical visibility. The excellent book avoids well-beaten topics to speak to newer ones of families, languages, values, togetherness, and leadership. Pan-Africanism is alive, the book proclaims without any apology. Rich chapters reveal the complex interplay of power and marginalities, hegemony and subsidiarity, human sacrifices and hope. This book reminds us of an ongoing prudential conversation in a new world that is undergoing stress and tensions.” -Toyin Falola, Honorary Professor, University of Cape Town From the Back Cover “In this powerful, must-read book, Setiloane and Bangura have assembled a masterpiece that focuses on the understated consequences of globalization ranging from social media changing the landscape of in-person communication to the accelerated deaths of African languages. It also focuses on globalization’s insidious impact on infant mortality―a preference for the ‘modern’ infant formula over traditional breastmilk―and promotion of consumerism. The book closes on a hopeful no