AFRICAN RENAISSANCE: Roadmaps to the Challenge of Globalization - Softcover

'A timely contribution to the debate on Africa's future in the age of globalization. In this penetrating analysis, Cheru analyzes Africa's marginal position in the new global hierarchy and then proceeds to offer important but pragmatic pointers that African governments, in consultation with their populations, must undertake to navigate successfully the cold currents of globalization. A must read for African policymakers, civil society leaders, and donor organizations.' Carlos Lopes, Bureau of Development Policy, United Nations Development Programme 'Globalization, with its contradictory tendencies, poses a great challenge to the African continent. Despite gloomy predictions about Africa's future, however, Cheru argues that globalization can offer great opportunity for the continent, but only if African leaders are prepared to manage it carefully and with greater concern for empowering the poor. Africa can and must compete in a rapidly changing global economy. But this will require fundamental change in African attitude, institutional arrangement, orientation to governance and economic management-a conclusion broadly in line with UNECA's Compact for African Development.' K.Y. Amoako, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa 'Cheru's roadmaps' provide an insightful evaluation of Africa's political and economic points of origin, as well as its' desired Renaissance destination. Most importantly, it offers clear directions for fellow travellers joining the fight against global apartheid!' Salih Booker, executive director, Africa Action 'A welcome addition to the discussion on development in Africa ... a good book for development studies scholars' Valentine James, Journal of Sustainable Development

How can African countries escape from marginalization, deepening impoverishment and state disintegration in the new era of globalization? Fantu Cheru draws on his experience of many different countries to argue for a way beyond the simple state-led versus market-driven approaches to Africa's development. The international financial institutions must stop their heavy handed interventions and let countries decide their own development paths. African countries must work within the reality of globalization to renew democracy and improve governance; invest in education; revitalize agriculture, manage their cities, strengthen regional economic integration, and prevent yet more deadly conflicts. These require commonsense and non-dogmatic approaches, learning from local successes, entrepreneurship, and a new generation committed to a new kind of politics.