Social Problems in Africa: New Visions

(Hardback)

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Description

Despite the recent growth of research on social problems facing the people of sub-Saharan Africa, there remains a critical lack of conceptual, epistemological, and empirical research and documentation. This sophisticated new book attempts to fill that gap by synthesizing, interpreting, and extending the existing literature on conditions that constitute serious impediments to socio-economic development in Africa. It provides an original and up-to-date survey of key problems ranging from poverty and inequality to violence and crime. The contributors, all of whom have lived or worked in Africa, show how social problems emerge, how they are defined, and how various actors attempt to deal with them. This timely book provides a much needed analysis of the major issues and debates regarding the dynamics of social problems in the African context. Social Problems in Africa is broken into four parts. The first introduces readers to the nature of social problems in general and provides a framework for analyzing and understanding social problems in an African context. Part II, on culture, human rights and democracy, examines these crucial aspects of social problems in Africa, as well as issues such as language and colonialism. Part III focuses on poverty and inequality, while conflict and violence is the focus of Part IV. Together, the chapters in this volume provide the most comprehensive and systematic approach to the issues available, bringing much-needed attention to the problems in Africa from the perspective of scholars who have lived and worked there.

Reviews

"This volume makes a unique contribution to the multifaceted field of the study of social problems in Africa. The 13 authors come from six countries and have worked at universities in West, East, Central and Southern Africa. They represent the disciplines of economics, law, African languages, politics, social work and sociology. Their contributions cover issues of poverty and justice, conflict and violence, human rights and democracy and the sustainability of cultures. They include concerns for the historical origins of current social problems, the impact of crime, migration, refugee status and the monitoring of poverty in the context of rapid social, political and economic change on the continent. This book is a welcome addition to the literature and will be a useful reference for all wanting to understand social problems in Africa."-Professor Sheldon G. Weeks Dean, School of Graduate Studies University of Botswana
Significant is the authors' ability to demystify the stereotypical images perpetuated by the Western media of Africa as the "dark continent," and at the same time articulate the magnitude and uniqueness of the region's social problems. Of particular importance is the call for a historical understanding (both colonial and postcolonial) and exploration of the comparative dimensions (global, regional, and national levels) as a framework for understanding the region's social problems. Recommended for upper division undergraduates through faculty.-Choice
"Significant is the authors' ability to demystify the stereotypical images perpetuated by the Western media of Africa as the "dark continent," and at the same time articulate the magnitude and uniqueness of the region's social problems. Of particular importance is the call for a historical understanding (both colonial and postcolonial) and exploration of the comparative dimensions (global, regional, and national levels) as a framework for understanding the region's social problems. Recommended for upper division undergraduates through faculty."-Choice

Author Bio

APOLLO RWOMIRE is Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Botswana, where he has taught since 1993./e His research and publications, which include many books, chapters, and journal articles, encompass social policy, social science methodology, education and development, and social problems. In addition, he serves as a consultant to FAO and UNICEF.