Historical Underpinnings of Contemporary Issues - Literature review Example

Historical Underpinnings of Contemporary Issues al affiliation: Modernization is a debatable concept, which has received baptism from different scholars and researchers alike. Richard Sklar in the New modernization article shares his sentiments regarding the popular topic. In his discussion, he focuses on democracy, nationalism and various theories responsible for the growth of various life aspirations. The dependency theory, for example, is used to explain varied phenomenon experienced in the modern world (Sklar, 1995). He also focuses attention on imperialism, which was a major concern among ancient egalitarians. Certainly, no country can have a succinct international relation without a significant social content. According to Sklar, the distinctive variant to international capitalism was neo-colonialism manifested in the African continent. The spatial idea of advancing colonialist and fronting opposition by Kwame Nkrumah revealed a warning not only to the proprietors but also to other people eying the country. From this perspective, modernization took a social construct. Nevertheless, Sklar notes that 1970s theorists based their arguments on Marxist dependency theory to explain the modern paradigm (Sklar, 1995). The method that brings into light a mirror image of the future ensures foundations into modernism receives great attention. Economic failures of communism compared to the capitalist theories attempt to explain a lot regarding modernism. The oppressive rigidities that mobilize different development ideas present a difference between regulated world economics and dominant systems. Apart from the economic concerns, modernization also focuses on cultural diversity. The collective representation of inequality is a priority of every societal matriculation. Social pluralism requires development ideas to incorporate culturally while accommodating functional systems. Any modern economy without these attributed according to Sklar is no longer obligatory to guarantee the future. As a matter of fact, the economies that do not manifest and embrace social changes elicit diminishing interests (Sklar, 1995). Conceivably, the modernization theory also rationalizes the neoclassical approaches to political contours. Undeniably, this plays a critical role in both micro ad macro social analysis. In as much as, there are various issues responsible for modernization Sklar notes that the contemporary modernization recent weak points as compared to forty years ago. The failure in Marxist-dependency theory is predictable, populist radicalism continues to blind others leading to chaos among other tragic episodes. According to Sklar, the end of cold was supposed to mark a new beginning; however, African countries have been on the verge of internal conflicts as manifested in Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and Sudan (Sklar, 1995). In essence, the Afrocentric relationships and counteract distortions have affected the cultural systems, economic channels and logical barriers leading to weak modernization. Contrary to the modernization outlook by Sklar, David Rubadiri gives a new frontier by evaluating Africa. According to Rubadiri, time is set for Africa to assume a new position and leave the old-fashioned image of a stagnant land full of confused people with no ideas. Arguably, the vintage point in 1964 was supposed to induce new feelings and development agenda in a population keen to learn and develop the continent. Nevertheless, the reverse has appeared leaving a lot of questions with no clear answers (Rubadiri, 1964). Rubadiri focuses on various elements responsible for the status of the African development. The cultural and economic values of African have derailed its development for long despite being a source of various resources. The walks in primeval land attach it to the old-fashioned individual without the ability to decide. The cyclopean myth embraces the African factor despite the titanic human explosions from different corners of the world. Rubadiri affirms that Africa, like other nations have a responsibility of solving its problems and gaining a stable environment that motivates culture and economic prosperity. Janheinz, a German Scholar, attempts to relate technological development to African states. According to him, earth conditions technological developments mark a turning point for development; however, this is only valid in case of assimilation. Indeed Africa can be a master of modern technology while still maintaining culture. In essence, African future depends on the existence of its culture. It is a continent endowed wit a series of art and literary forms with unique and diverse characteristics. European penetration into Africa has greatly affected its relationship with basic human rights as well as well as paternalistic assertions. The empty words accosted by cultural changes have forced African states to ensure the economic independence rather than induce internal driven economy. Statistically, great powers have turned African states into great mineral sources hence the need to independence in funding or any technological assistance (Rubadiri, 1964). In terms of politic, Rubadiri observes that the vociferous politics in the African continents has to a large extent contributed to the baffled status. Undeniably, many have been imprisoned and executed in their own country while other nations face political sanctions. Interestingly, several consequences also await negative actions in a series of problem areas. Above all, Rubadiri concludes that Africa has a great future full of faith, energy and greater momentum. African past in Africa’s future culminates into an interesting story of the continually imagined idea continent. The idea that proliferates through John Lonsdale articles captures various amazing facets of the African development. Certainly, human success and failures form an onset for life decisions. Lonsdale believed the excess contemporary feat of imagination has resulted into numerous political actors and historical underpinnings (Lonsdale, 1989). Contrary to the western countries that do not focus on the consequences and setbacks, African countries seek a lot of questions that have left them chasing ghosts rather than build real empires. The constructive debate and conflict of interest have resulted into distortion of monopolist power hence the power problems experienced in the continent. Lonsdale furthermore notes that African future relies on their ability to escape the imposed restrictions on effort to formulate a great future. Undeniably, South African history remains characterized by ideological conflicts. The vigorous disputes have produced a more peculiar language because of a discordant mixture of the political construct. Notably, the varied political language has introduced layers of understanding and development in the African continent. Apparently, state institutions have no historic links while at the same time they stack disunity and imported civilization. The question, therefore, is whether the fragile legitimacy can prevail without imposing touching foundations on the African continent (Lonsdale, 1989). The UNESCO general history of Africa brings into light various regimes responsible for shaping the African future but could not effect changes due to the culture of silence. According to Lonsdale African Kingdoms, in the past were predatory rather than productive. The dynastic changes led to inordinately high peasantry, slavery and lack of military establishment. The diverging political differences subvert the field of inquiry to tyranny and consensual mobilization. Conceivably, there have been no ideological conflicts in the past hence not necessary in the future. The terms of interest extend beyond logical reasoning that provides a foundation for construction of any political language. Certainly, many African Kingdoms have lived in constitutional opposition hence expelling sovereignty rather introduce the legitimate ideologies (Lonsdale, 1989). In the competitive constituencies around the world, Africa has no exception in preventing internal conflicts while controlling the daily problems. It is important to rule by consent and not by force. Similarly, Lonsdale reiterates that it is vital to develop vital strategies aimed at helping local residents as manifested by the Agrarian revolution of South Africa. Undeniably, Africa is a land or resources. Kwabena Akurang-Parry attempts to reveal the many atrocities associated to the resources. Additionally, he attempts to unveil several reasons why the resources do not help Africans despite their notable effort in the western countries. This is contrary to previous articles that focused on culture, theories and economic systems. In particular, the article gives attention to the Gold coast between Accra and Elmina full of political activism and cultural differences. In as much as many might imply slavery as a notion of the western nations to suppress African, Akurang-Parry has a different thought. As a matter of fact, he believed Africans supported slavery in different ways. Certainly, the abolition of slave trade coincided with the colonial rule. The composite thematic trust ensured to the extent that African contribution to slavery clearly manifested. Emancipation and European enlighten in the Gold coast introduced aspects like domestic slavery shielded by the defensive westernization ideologies. In essence, the Gold coast allowed slavery even before the western slavery gained momentum (Akurang-Parry, 2004). In this respect, Africa has been an enemy of its own development despite unending voices against the western countries. According to the Gold Coast Tomes America and Europe, only took advantage of the existing slavery in the Gold coast. Many residents had information of the antislavery ideologies; however, many eyed the colonial authorities and trivial goods. John Parker notes that slavery sprouted in the Ga littorial region with only a few people having the ability to resist the human violation. Despite the several weaknesses that manifested in the Gold coast, the African intelligentsia did a lot of things to ensure slavery was not a major problem. Lonsdale notes that among the important contributions included demarcation of the Gold Coast Colony. Despite being defeated by the British, Ashanti antislavery slogans led to a change of view and perception. It, therefore, is imperative to control the post-slavery problems that are still eminent in the continent. References Akurang-Parry, K. O. (2004). "We Shall Rejoice to See the Day When Slavery Shall Cease to Exist": The "Gold Coast Times",the African Intelligentsia, and Abolition in the Gold Coast. History in Africa, 31, pp. 19-42 Lonsdale, J. (1989). African Pasts in Africas Future. Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue Canadienne des Études Africaines, 23(1), pp. 126-146 Rubadiri J. D. (1964). Africa: An African Evaluation Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 354, pp. 84-90 Sklar, R. L. (1995). The New Modernization. A Journal of Opinion, 23(1) pp. 19-21 Read More