Africa Must Be Modern ─ A Manifesto

In a forthright and uncompromising manner, Olufemi Taiwo explores Africa’s hostility toward modernity and how that hostility has impeded economic development and social and political transformation. What has to change for Africa to be able to respond to the challenges of modernity and globalization? Taiwo insists that Africa can renew itself only by fully engaging with democracy and capitalism and by mining its untapped intellectual resources. While many may not agree with Taiwo’s positions, they will be unable to ignore what he says. This is a bold exhortation for Africa to come into the 21st century.

Olufemi Taiwo is Professor of Philosophy and Global African Studies and Director of the Global African Studies Program at Seattle University. He is author of How Colonialism Preempted Modernity in Africa (IUP, 2010).