Development and Underdevelopment of African Continent: The Blame Game and the Way Forward

Abstract

This paper considers the development dichotomy between the global north and global south. The focus of this paper is not about the global north but the underdevelopment and development options available to the African continent. It highlights the various theories of development and the flaws associated with such theories. This paper uses the theory of modernization, dependency and alternative development theories to operationalize how development is understood along the development trajectory. The paper also highlights the causes of underdevelopment of African continent and finally proposes ways forward for the continent of Africa encompassing strong institutions, culture and development, transfer of technology and African countries strategically positioning themselves in the world capitalist system.

Keywords: Development, underdevelopment, Africa, structural adjustment, modernization, dependency.