Underdevelopment and Dependence in Black Africa: Historical Origin

Abstract

Keeping in mind the variety of social, cultural and economic conditions distinguishing African Societies, the author divides the continent into three macro-regions: (1) Africa of the colo nial economy (enlarged West Africa) (2) Africa of the concession companies (Congo Basin) (3) Africa of the labor reserves (East and South Africa). The dialectics between colonial policies and social formations and modes of production in ternal to the regions are seen as a major deter minant in shaping the history of underdevelop ment in Black Africa. On this basis, four historical periods are ana lyzed : (1) The pre-mercantilist period (2) The mercantilist period (3) The preparatory phase for colonization (4) The colonization period. Concluding the discussion of the colonization period, the author points to the necessity of viewing African socities as dependent, peripheral ones, shaped according to the needs of dominant, capitalist societies.