DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO
NIGERIA
COMPARATIVE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF DEVELOPMENT:
AFRICAN PERSPECTIVES
2012/2013
INSTRUCTOR
M. M. YUSIF
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO
NIGERIA
SYLLABUS OF POSTGRADUATE COURSE ON THE POLITICAL
ECONOMY OF AFRICA
SUB-THEME: COMPARATIVE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF
DEVELOPMENT: AFRICAN PERSPECTIVES
M. M. YUSIF
2012/2013 ACADEMIC SESSION
Introduction
This is the
syllabus of the course on the Political Economy of Africa, which is part of the
Masters Degree Programme of the Department of Political Science, Bayero
University, Kano – Nigeria during 2012/2013 Academic year. The course is taught
during the first semester.
The objective of
the course is to expose students for a research work which centres on Political
Economy of development. Emerging knowledge and research in the field of
development is increasingly engaged with questions from varieties of Political
Economy.
This course
would deal with contribution in Comparative Political Economy of Development
from African Perspectives.
Political
Economy is used as a methodology. Combined with comparative also as methodology
and historical, a collection of methodologies as Comparative Historical
Political Economy has become how Social Scientists could generate useful
knowledge.
It is expected
that the course will be covered in fifteen (15) weeks. Weekly meetings of three
hours each will be divided into three track display of ideas. First is 30
minutes of talk or lecture by the course instructor – followed by two working
sessions – one is discussion of a selected text relevant on the topic of the
week and two, either a discussion of a specific research work or any other
programme the lecturer may come up with. There are going to be working groups
discussion.
The texts
selected for reading are meant to give theoretical and methodological guide as
well as African perspectives on Comparative Historical Political Economy of
development. There are many other materials as literature which have covered
the themes, on Asian and or Latin American continent. Online sources are
relevant. Become independent researcher and learner now!
Course Description
The meanings of
Political Economy have changed over time such that is only within a context a
researcher could create a conceptualisation of the term. Nevertheless both the
Old and the New tradition of the science contain a complex merger of political,
social, economic, cultural, historical and institutional principles in the
changes and transformation of human society.
Thus, Political
Economy is a methodology. With a comparative methodology the two can light
their instruments through different perspectives and unequal geographies of
development.
The various
meanings of the word “development” would be examined and what sense the
transnationalisation of capitalism has created for development of Africa. Why
Africa remains the poorer of the continents from the Third World.
The course draws
from theoretical discussion on development from the fields of Political
Economy, history and development studies.
The teaching
programme is divided into five parts of a single process of development of
knowledge. The first part is the introduction which examines the conceptualisation
of the major terms we are going to deal with. This will include the meanings,
arguments and controversies around Political Economy, development and the
comparative as a methodology. The second part looks at some of the most
important theoretical ideas and intellectual traditions which seek to explain
development. In this context, capitalist development. Part three will treat
development impasse in Africa and bring out new directions both in development
theory and practice. Part four will bring out in general perspectives, under –
development in Africa. The fifth part will analyse regional context of
socio-economic development and change in theory and history through case
studies from colonial to contemporary Africa.
Course Syllabus
1)
Introduction: Introducing the course and what it is
about; course requirements; methods and guide for learning and research by
students of political science, political science and political economy –
dynamics of their relations and change;
Reading
1.
Stephen
V. F. Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science. Online
2.
Margaret
Stacey (1977). Methods of Social Research.
3.
Mauro
C. and Rosanna D. “E-Research: An Introduction to Online Political Science for
Beginners and Skeptics” IPSR Vol. 28. No. 2
4.
Comparative
Historical Political Economy
In Place of Discussion
Each student is
given ten minutes to speak and make observation on any outstanding text on
African Social Issues.
2) Comparative
Political Economy as a Methodology or Methodologies
Reading
1.
Ernest
Mandel (1962). Marxist Economic Theory
2.
Caparaso
and Levine (1994). Theories of Political Economy
3.
Bruno
S. Frey (1978). Modern Political Economy
4.
Antonio
Merlo “Wither Political Economy? Theories, Facts and Issues”.
5.
Yolomu
Barongo (eds.) Political Science in Africa: A Critical Review. Chapters 6 and
16.
6.
Andrew
Gamble (1996). New Political Economy Vol. 1 No. 1.
7.
Eskor
Toyo (1983). “The Return of Political Economy” JPE Vol. 1 No.1
Discussion Questions
1.
Examine
the relevance or otherwise of empirical research as distinct from theoretical
in Political Economy Studies.
2.
Compare
the Marxian Method of Political Economy with the Method of New Political
Economy.
3.
Political
Economic Analysis is Methodological in Generation of Knowledge by Social
Scientists.
3) Conceptualising
Political Economy of Africa
Reading
1.
Claude
Ake, “The Political Economy Approach: Explanatory Notes on Marxian Theory in
Africa.
2.
…….
(1978). A Political Economy of Africa.
3.
Yusufu
B. U. “Karl Marx and the Analysis of the Politics of Contemporary Africa.
Conference paper.
4.
Bade
O., “Marx, Africa and the World System”. Conference paper.
5.
Online.
The Political Economy of Africa in the Global System.
6.
Paul
Collier (2006). International Political Economy: Some African Applications.
Discussion Questions
1.
Africa
is apparently the poorest continent in the world. Could you say that it is more
integrated in the world system than any other developing continent?
2.
Marxian
Theory is less vibrant politico-economic idea in analysis of human society
today. Is it still relevant to explain the failure and or success of
development in Africa?
4) Development:
What Meanings; Views; and Arguments on the Concept
Reading
1.
Eskor
Toyo, “Non – Ethnocentric Flows in Competing Non-Marxist Paradigms of
Development”. In Barongo Y. (ed.) Political Science in Africa: A Critical
Review.
2.
Anne
Philips, “The Concept of Development”. ROAPE No.8.
3.
Jan-Erik
Lane and Svante Ersson (1993) Comparative Political Economy: A Development
Approach. Chapters 1, 2, and 3.
4.
Robert
Gist (1999). The History of Development: From Western Origin to Global Faith.
5.
A.
G. Frank (1970) The Development of Underdevelopment.
Discussion Questions
1.
The
meanings of development from Non-Marxist Social Science is full of confusion,
such that there would never be alternative development within the same
framework.
2.
The
concept of development is development of capitalism. Comment.
3.
Bring
out the arguments of modernists and post-modernists on the concept of
development.
4.
Distinguish
the views of Eskor Toyo, Mydal G. and Todaro on the role of “Economics” on overall
development of human society.
5) Classical
and Neo-classical Perspectives on Development
Reading
1.
Jan
– Erik and Svante E. op. cit. Chapter 6
2.
Caparaso
and Levine, Theories of Political Economy. Chapters 2 and 3.
3.
Erik
S. Reinert. How Rich Countries Got Rich and Why Poor Countries Stay Poor.
Chapter One and all the Appendices
Discussion Questions
1.
Distinguish
Classical and Neo-classical path to economic development.
2.
Both
Adam Smith and Friedrich List called for development based upon private
property rights. Show their differences in going through this direction.
6) Marxian
Theory and Development
Reading
1.
Karl
Marx and Fredrik Engels, “Manifesto of the communist party”. In selected
works. Vol. 1.
2.
Karl
Marx, “Wage Labour and Capital”. Selected works. Vol. 1.
3.
Karl
Marx, “The Future Results of British Rule in India”. Selected works op.
cit.
Discussion Questions
1.
The
ideas in the text titled “Manifesto of Communist Party” by Marx and Engels is a
theory of development. State the theory and reformulate it to address and
explain the current African reality of development.
2.
Wages
relationship society is the modern society but a more modern and developed is
most needed. Discuss.
7) Imperialism,
Development and Underdevelopment
Reading
1.
Anthony
Brewer, Marxist Theories of Imperialism: A Critical Survey.
2.
Bill
Warren, Imperialism: Pioneer of Capitalism.
3.
Henrik
S. Marcussen, Internationalisation of capital: A re-examination of dependency
theory.
4.
Bob
Suteliffe, “Industry and Underdevelopment Re-examined”. The Journal of
Development Studies Vol. 21.
5.
Alain
Lipietz. “How Monetarism has chocked Third world industrialisation”. New
Left Review No. 145.
6.
Roger
Owen and Bob Sutcliffe (eds.) Studies in the theory of Imperialism. Chapters
1 and 2.
Discussion Questions
1.
Bring
out the Arguments of Karl Marx, Lenin and Bill Warren on “Capitalism is
progressive”.
2.
Industrialisation
in some African countries does not bring overall development of human society.
Why?
3.
Compare
the arguments of Samir Amin, Gunder Frank, Paul Baran, Emmanuel Arghri and
Wallerstein on Dependency and underdevelopment.
8) Globalisation,
Development and Post-modernism
Reading
1.
Bob
Sutcliffe, “The Place of Development in Theories of Imperialism and globalisation”.
2.
Adebayo
Olukoshi, “Globalisation, Equity and Development”. Some reflections on African
Experience.
3.
Joseph
Stilitz, Making Globalisation Work. Chapter 2.
4.
Togba
N. T. “Globalisation and Development”. In D. W. Nabudere (ed.) Globalisation
and Post-colonial African States.
5.
Deepak
N. “Development through Globalisation”. A Research Paper.
6.
CARTSS,
Globalisation and Modernity: Central Questions.
7.
Martin
Khor, “Globalisation: Implications for Development Policy.
8.
Matthe
M. T. “Development Economics in the Wake of the Eashington Consensus: From
Smith to Smithscreen”. IPSA Vol. 29 No. 5.
9.
Akindele
S. T. “Globalisation, its Implications and Consequences for Africo – conference
paper.
10.Robert Rist, op. cit. chapter 12
Discussion Questions
1.
Development
theory in Africa’s development strategy today is a return to the liberal
position but in a predatory style.
2.
Globalisation
is Modernisation. Do you agree?
9) Development
Strategies: From Modernisation to Neo-Liberalism
Reading
1.
Anyang
Nyongo, “Liberal models of capitalist Development in Africa”. Africa
Development Vol. 3 No. 2 (1978).
2.
Clive
Y. Thomas, Dependency and Transformation. The economics of the Transition to
socialism.
3.
Ray
Bush and Morris Szeftel (1995). “Commentary: Taking Leave of the Twentieth
Century”. ROAPE No. 65
4.
Lionel
Cliffe and David Seddon (1981) “Africa in a New World Order”. ROAPE No. 50.
5.
Frans
J. Schuurman (1993). Beyond the Impasse: New Directions in Development Theory.
6.
John
Rapley, “New Directions in the Political Economy of Development”. ROAPE
No. 62.
7.
Cheryl
Payer (1982). The World Bank: A Critical Analysis. MRP
8.
Mai
Palmberg (1978). Problems of Socialist Orientation in Africa. Uppsala.
Discussion Questions
1.
The
problems against capitalist form of development in Africa were also the
problems against socialist orientation in Africa. Discuss.
2.
In
development thinking for Africa, the 20th Century was a Golden era
but also of crisis.
3.
It
is a paradox that Neo-liberal model of development in Africa is sharphy in
contrast from the earlier liberal models.
10) Beyond
Neo-Liberalism in Africa
Reading
1.
Kidone
M. and Logen B. (eds.) (1995) Beyond Economic Liberalisation in Africa.
2.
Charles
Gore (2000). The Rise and Fall of the Washington Consensus as a Paradigm for
Developing Countries” World Development Vol. 28 No. 5.
3.
Nansjorg
H. and Jan Prieve (2005) “Beyond the Washington Consensus: Macro-Economic
Politics for Development IPS No. 2.
4.
Elma
Alvator. “Post-Neo-Liberalism or Post Capitalism? The failure of Neo-Liberalism
in the Financial Market Crisis”.
5.
Padraing
C. “Constructing Alternative to Structural Adjustment Programme in Africa”.
ROAPE No. 78.
Discussion Questions
1.
What
will development be after Neo-Liberal era in Africa?
2.
Examine
what and how global forces introduced market system in Africa and entrench it
to become a wider totality of Economic development strategy in the continent.
11) Democracy
and Development in Africa
Reading
1.
Kidone
M. and Logan B. (eds.) op. cit. chapters 2 and 9
2.
Alan
Hunt (ed.). Marxism and Democracy Humanities Press, London. Introduction.
3.
William
Z. “Sub-Saharan Africa: Implosion or Take-off”
4.
Omono
E. “A Democratic Developmental State in Africa? A Concept Paper.
5.
Ake
C. (200.), Democracy and Development in Africa. Spectrum Books.
6.
Dietrich
Rueschemeyer and others (1992). Capitalist Development and Democracy.
7.
Arthur
M. Neo-Liberalism or Democracy? Economic Strategy, Markets and Alternatives for
the 21st Century. Chapter 2.
8.
John
M. “Capitalism, Imperialism and Development: A Marxist Discussion.
Discussion Questions
1.
Assess
the contribution of Rueschemeya on the relationship between capitalist
development and Democracy.
2.
From
Neo-liberal theory democracy and market are two sides of the same coin. Can the
two together bring development? What development?
3.
What
of democratizing Neo-liberal globalization to make it bring development? What
development? To whom?
12) Regional
Integration: An Alternative Development for Africa?
Reading
1.
Arok
Ajulu, “Thabo Mbeki African Rennaissance in a globalizing World Economy. The
struggle for the soul of the continent”. ROAPE No. 87.
2.
Lawrence
O. C. “Regional Economic Integration: A Development Paradigm for Africa”. In
Bade Onimode and others, African Development and Governance Strategies.
3.
S.
K. B. Asante (1991). African Development: Adebayo Adedeji’s Alternative
Strategies.
4.
Ann
Seidman and Frederick Anang (eds.). Towards a New Vision of Self-Sustainable
Development.
Discussion
Questions
1.
In
view of the achievement and or failure of regional organisations in Africa
examine Thabo Mbeki’s concept of Regional Integration as the solution of
development problems in Africa.
2.
Regionalism
is an obstacle to globalization. Could you say that regionalism is capable of
reversing the development risks of the globalising World
13) Regional
Studies
The purpose of this section is a comparative study
of either regional groups or individual countries across the regions, considering
changes and continuity in the development of the structure of the economy from
colonial era to the post-colonial, late post-colonial and presently post
post-colonial era.
General divisions of the colonial and immediate
post-colonial economies could be made:-
1.
Predominantly
small – peasant production e.g. West African countries.
2.
Plantation
system e.g. Belgian Congo, Kenya, South Africa.
3.
Settler
economy: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola.
Our attention could be to ask what legacies colonial
systems generated for later history of these countries in post-independent era.
Is there any relationship between the colonial structure and the
post-independence development? What does globalisation create for prospects and
problems of development thinking and practice in African countries.
These and other questions would be examined in
attempt to make comparative studies of regions and countries in Africa.
14)
Theoretical
Conclusion: Is Africa’s Development Still Dependent and Underdeveloped
Reading
1.
Mark
T. Berger, “The End of the Third World”? Third World Quarterly Vol. 15,
No. 2, 1994.
2.
A.
G. Frank (1981). Reflections on the World Economic Crisis. Chapter 184.
3.
Vicky
Randal and Robin Theobald: Political Change and Underdevelopment.
4.
Ha
Joon, “Globalisation, Transnational Corporations, and Economic Development: Can
the Developing Countries Pursue Strategic Industrial Policy in a Globalising
World Economy”. In Dean Baker and Others (eds.) Globalisation and Progressive
Economic Policy.
5.
Yolamu
Barongo (ed.) Chapter 14.
15)
Conclusion:
Closing Up; Discussion of Classroom Experience; Criticism – Self Criticism
Joint Reading
*1. Keith Griffin, Alternative Strategies for
Economic Development. Chapter 1, 2, and 5.
*2. Bangura Yusuf, “Globalisation and African
Development”. Conference Paper.
3.
Yash
Tandon, Globalisation and the South: The Logic of Exploitation
4.
Irogba
K. “Globalisation and the Developmant of the Third World”. Journal of Third
World Studies, 2005.
*5. Emmanuel C. O. and Agatha E. “Globalisation
and Economic Development: The Nigerian Experience”.
*6.
A. G. Frank (1970), “Economic Politics or Political Economy”.
*7. Adebayo Adedeji
(1996), South Africa and Africa: Within or Apart? Chapters 4, 6, 7, and 8.
*8. Samir Amin, “Africa: Living on the Fringe”.
*9. Samir Amin, “Underdevelopment and Dependence
in Black Africa: Origins and Contemporary Forms”. Journal of Modern Africa
Studies Vol. 10 (1979).
*10. Michael Watts,
“Empire-of-Oil-Capitalist Dispossession-and-the-Scramble-for-Africa”. New Left
Review.
*11. Brenner, “The
Origins of Capitalist Development: A Critique of Neo-Smithian Marxism.
12.
Jonathan
Schiffer, “The Changing Post-War Pattern of Development: The Accumulated Wisdom
of Samir Amin”. World Development Vol. 9, No. 6 (1981).
*13.
Archie Mafeji, Science, Ideology and Development.
14.
Bjorn
Beckman (1983) Marxism and Underdevelopment: A Critique of Ake.
15.
Todd
J. Moss (2007). African Development: Making Sense of the Issues and Actors.
16.
Nnoli,
O. (1993), Dead-End To Nigerian Development: An Investigation on the Social
Economic and Political Crisis in Nigeria. Codesria.
17.
Nnoli
O. (ed.). Path to Nigerian Development. Codesria.
18.
Gillis
and Others (1996). Economics of Development.
Requirements
Þ
The
teaching of the course is by a seminar form.
Þ
There
will be weekly reading and discussion of some relevant texts during each
contact period.
Þ
Students
are expected to read all assigned texts, attend all classes and participate in
discussions.
Þ
In
the discussions we will be analyzing the arguments, thoughts and ideas of others,
with a view to reformulate them to develop our own ideas.
Þ
If
you are not going to attend any class tell me before the time. However, when
you return you must submit work for that week.
Þ
Recommended
texts that are underlined are required readings to be reviewed by students for
class discussion.
Þ
Those
marked with star under the additional reading are also important.
Þ
Questions
that are raised at the end of each topic are guide for study by students. They
are also for discussion
Þ
Assessment
of students is based on end of semester Examination (60%) and Continuous Assessment (40%).
Þ
The
CA grades:
a)
Class-work/Participation/Attendance - 20%
b)
Course
Research Paper - 10%
c)
Literature
Review on any relevant topic - 05%
d)
Working
Group Discussion on any relevant topic - 05%
Þ
In
order to purify learning and research I have to take strict disciplinary action
against any student who is found on plagiarism. So, you must not copy or
paraphrase some one’s ideas, arguments and work and present it as your own.
Don’t come across idea of one writer in another text by another writer and
claim you got it from the original text. Finally, all texts consulted should be
properly acknowledged. These are elements of integrity of a scholar.
