African thoughts on colonial and neo-colonial worlds

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This book explores the multifaceted engagements of Africa with the world, highlighting how historical colonial and imperial legacies have contributed to the continent's marginalized global position. It argues that the decolonization process has not fully dismantled the Western dominance in political and economic spheres, leading to new dependencies while retaining old ties that significantly affect African affairs. The term ‘neo-colonial’ aptly describes these ongoing unequal relations, as post-colonial African states grapple with a complex legacy of foreign rule, including colonial borders, languages, infrastructure, and authoritarian institutions, alongside the social imbalances characteristic of the colonial experience. The contributions within this volume examine these intricate processes through the lens of intellectual history. They address key themes such as ‘state’, ‘modernity’, ‘development’, ‘dependency’, and ‘art’, while introducing influential public intellectuals from Africa and the diaspora. Central questions regarding Africa's identity and its relationship with the world, as well as strategies to overcome internal challenges and external dependencies, are critically analyzed. By exploring various cases from diverse perspectives, the contributions provide original insights into Africa's intellectual history and its ongoing quest for agency and relevance in a complex global landscape.