African Perspectives on Poverty, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and Innovation

✍ Scribed by Oliver Mtapuri (editor)

• Publisher: Springer
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 236
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book examines the connections between poverty and innovation in Africa. Through case studies and theorizations from a distinctly African perspective, it stands in contrast to current theoretical works in the field, which remain very much rooted in Western-orientated thinking. The book investigates the application of methodologies which explain numerous African contexts in connection with issues of poverty and inequality. It reflects on comparative practices and praxes on the African continent, including commonplace traditions and practices in alleviating poverty, taken against a background of the failure of current prescriptions for poverty alleviation, such as the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP). There is a dire need for new practical perspectives which move Africa forward using its indigenous knowledge. Owing to a general lack of recorded African theories and methodologies on poverty, inequality and innovation, this book represents a pioneering corpus of African knowledge addressing poverty and inequality through local innovations. Adopting a transdisciplinary approach, it is relevant to students and scholars in development studies and economics, African studies, social studies, political history and political economy, climate studies, anthropology and geography.

✦ Table of Contents

About This Book
Contents
Editor and Contributors
1 Preface
Introduction
Recalibrating Governance Systems
Catechising Inequalities
Towards a Theory of Bad Faith
The Significance of the Collection
Themes and Structure of the Chapters
Part 1: Poverty and Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Part 2: Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation
References
Part I Povery and Indigenous Knowledge Systems
2 Onomastic and Conceptual Pathologisation of African Culture as Creation and Perpetuation of African Poverty in Zimbabwe
Introduction
Theoretical Framework
Research Methodology
Impoverishing Africa Through “Sophisticated” Onomastic Othering
Crude Nomen Othering of African Ecology and the Creation of African Poverty
Onomastic Evidence of African Self-Othering and Continued Impoverishment
Conclusion
References
3 Empirecrafting or Statecrafting Africa? Beyond Banal “Traditional” Witchery and Towards Rebuilding the Moral Economy
Introduction
The Moral Economy
Statecrafting and Empirecrafting
Empirecrafting and Political-Economics of Unsustainability
Conclusion
References
4 Impoverishment as a Constraint to Africa’s Social Development
Introduction
Indigenous African Knowledge Key to Reducing Impoverishment
The Ubuntu Philopraxis
The Ujamaa Philopraxis
Concluding Remarks and Recommendations
References
5 Indigenous Knowledge and Poverty Alleviation in Contemporary Zimbabwe
Introduction
The Roots of Poverty in Zimbabwe
An Overview of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
Problematising Poverty and Its Measurement
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Poverty Alleviation
Protecting Natural Resources
Agricultural Practices
Traditional Medicine
Conclusion
References
6 The Efficacy of Traditional Institutions in the Conservation of Sacred Heritage Resources in Zimbabwe
Introduction
Sacred Heritage Resource
Norumedzo Sacred Heritage Resource: Why Its Conservation Matters?
The Zooming in and Out Model: Some Theoretical and Methodological Concerns
The Effectiveness of Traditional Institutions in the Conservation of Norumedzo Jiri
Technical Capacity
Financial Management
Governance
Social Cohesion
Conclusion
References
7 Kinship Relations and Urban Poverty. A Case Study of Budiriro in Harare, Zimbabwe
Introduction
Research Methodology
Study Context
Sampling Approach
Life History Interviews
Focus Group Discussions
Data Analysis
Romantics of Kinship Relations in Livelihood Development
The Dark Side of Relatedness
Discussion and Conclusion
References
8 Processes, Policies, and Systems Needed to End Poverty on the African Continent
Introduction
Conception of Poverty
Causes of Poverty in Africa
Traditional Consultation, Democracy, and Good Governance
Dynamics for the Peaceful Transfer of Political Power and Conflict Resolution
Responsible, Responsive, and Servant African Leadership
Peace, Security and Stability
Local Processing of Resources
Market Freedom, Producer Incentives, and Diversification
Agricultural Revolution
Industrialisation, Regional and Continental Integration, and Trade Boost
Gender and Women Empowerment
Investment in Quality Public Education
Conclusion
References
9 Valuing Common Good in Addressing Inequalities and Poverty in African Economies
Introduction
Understanding of Inequalities and Poverty
Valuing Common Good
Means of Countering Inequality and Poverty
Possible Objections
Conclusion
References
10 Indigenous Knowledge and Poverty Alleviation in Africa: Experiences from Cameroon
Introduction
Relating Poverty and Inequality in Africa
A Unified View of the Conflict and Function Theories of Poverty and Inequality in Africa
Some Indigenous Methodologies for Inequality and Poverty Alleviation in African Settings
Indigenous Practices for Economic and Social Development in Some Cameroonian Communities
/Shii/ or ‘Joint-Efforts-Routine’
“Two-Party”
The Method of ‘Bon’
Sourga or Hii
‘Zakat’
“Tontine or Kom”
Strength of These Indigenous Practices Over the Present Modern Practices
Conclusion
References
Part II Innovation
11 Interrogating a Developmental State: Opportunities and Priorities for Development Using Policy and Innovation
Introduction
Methodology
Literature Review
Imperatives for a Developmental State
Impact of Innovations in World Regions
Agriculture, Innovations and Economic Growth
Discussion: Towards a Triadic Framework for a Developmental State
Conclusion
References
12 Technological Opportunities and Challenges: A Review of Bottled Gas Smart Metering Technology—A Study from Tanzania
Introduction
Literature Review
Theoretical Analysis
Clean Cooking Technologies
Methodology
Results and Discussion
LP Gas Use in Kinondoni Municipality, Dar Es Salaam
Bottled Gas Smart Metering; Technological Opportunities and Challenges
Technological Opportunities
Technological Challenges
Conclusion and Recommendation
Notes
References
13 The Role of Incubation Centres at Universities in Supporting Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Introduction
Theoretical Review
Conceptual Understanding and Role of Incubators
Types of Incubators
Role of Business Incubators
University Incubators
Practical Selection Process of Incubates
Programme Duration
Level of Support
Monitoring of Programmes
Selecting Mentors and Coaches
The Role of Government in Supporting Incubation Centres
Sustainability
Incubators in Policy Perspectives
Conclusion
References
14 Indigenous Knowledge and Innovations in Tanzania: Opportunities for Smallholder Farmers to Adapt with Climate Change
Background and Objectives
The Myth of ‘Indigenous’ and ‘Indigenous Knowledge’
Who Is Indigenous?
Indigenous Knowledge
Putting Indigenous Knowledge into Perspective
Modernism Perspectives
Indigenousism Perspectives
A Third View Perspective
Study Area and Methods of Data Collection
The Relevance of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation on Climate Change
Conclusion
References