Articles · Vol. 19 No. 1 (1994): Africa Development: Special issue on "The Social Sciences in Post-independence Africa: Past, Present and Future"

7 - Social Sciences and Policy Making in Africa: A Critical Review

by Sadig Rasheed

  • Sadig Rasheed
    Sadig Rasheed United Nations Economie Commission for Africa, P.O. Box 30001, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    Sadig Rasheed is a development economist currently serving as Director of Public Administration, Human Resources and Social Development Division of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (PO Box 3001, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). He was formerly Executive Director of the African...
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Vol. 19 · 1994 No. 1 Africa Development: Special issue on "The Social Sciences in Post-independence Africa: Past, Present and Future" AD

Abstract

A number of social scientists and organizations have, over the years, reflected on the evolution and problems of the social sciences (Mkandawire 1989; Ake 1983; Oyugi 1989; Katorobo 1985; Jitiadu 1985; Amin et al 1978) and the relationship between the social sciences and development in Africa.2 However, the need for an appropriate understanding of the relation ship between social sciences and policy making in Africa and the prevailing crisis in the state of this relationship make it more urgent than ever before that the social science community in Africa should reflect collectively, in a more systematic and critical manner, on this particular problématique and on its ramifications and future implications. This paper is intended to stimulate the debate within the aforementioned frame by providing an assessment of the state of the interface between social science and policy making in Africa and offering some perspectives on how this relationship should be perceived, evolve and be deliberately changed in the 1990s and beyond.

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Author Biography

  • Sadig Rasheed, United Nations Economie Commission for Africa, P.O. Box 30001, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Sadig Rasheed is a development economist currently serving as Director of Public Administration, Human Resources and Social Development Division of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (PO Box 3001, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). He was formerly Executive Director of the African Centre for Applied Research and Training in Social Development and Director of the Development Studies and Research Centre of the University of Khartoum, Sudan. His latest works include a book entitled Development's Last Frontier: What Prospects? Four Essays on African Development, and two edited books: Ethics and Accountability in African Public Services and Development Management in Africa: Towards Dynamism, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship.

References

  1. Adedeji, A, et al, (cdts.), The Human Dimension of Africa's Persistent Economic Crisis, Hans Zell 1991b, Saur K. G, London..
  2. Adedeji, A, et al, (edts.), 1991a, The Challenge of African Economic Recovery and Development, London, Frank Cass and Co.
  3. Agarwala, Ramgopal et al, Sub-Saharan Africa: The Long-Term Perspeclive Study - A Case Study in the Parlicipalory Process, Washington, 1 April 1993, memo, p.12.
  4. Ahmed, Abdel Ghaffar M, Reporl of the Executive Secrelary, OSSREA, Dehre Zeit, Ethiopia, August, 1993.
  5. Ake, Claude, The Social Sciences in Africa; Trends, Tasks and Challenges, paper presented at CODESRIA's Tenth Anniversary 1983.
  6. Amin, Samir, Atta Mills, C, Bufra, A, Mkandawire, T, Hamid, G, Social Sciences and the Development Crisis in Africa: Problems and Prospects, African Development, Vol. ID, No. 4, 1978, pp.23-45.
  7. Bujra, Abdalla and Kamcir, El Wathig, 'The Dialogue Between Policy Makers and Research Institutions in Africa: The Historical and Socio-political Context', paper prcscnted to ECA's Senior Policy Workshop, Enhancing the Interface between Government Policy Making Entities, and Universities and Research lnstitions in support of Economic Reform and Development in Africa. Rabat, 1992.