Rethinking Autonomous Development and Social Change in Africa
Abstract
One of the most sought-after ideals in post-independence Africa, yet highly elusive, is the realization of autonomous development and social change. Samir Amin is among the many scholars who have proposed solutions yet whose contribution has not been satisfactorily popularised. Amin was among the first generation of scholars who theorized and conceptualized pathways toward autonomous development and social change in Africa. In his honour, this article revisits the development and social change debate in Africa. Drawing from critical document analysis and underpinned by content analysis, this qualitative article identifies the dependency syndrome as one of the key challenges to Africa's development trajectory. This has compromised continental efforts toward autonomous development and social change. Amin proposed 'delinking' from the world capitalist system as the first step toward autonomous development.
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