Bouquets and brickbats along the road to development freedom and sovereignty: Commentary on 'Rethinking the idea of independent development and self-reliance in Africa'

Abstract

This commentary reflects critically on the issues raised by ‘Rethinking the idea of independent development and self-reliance in Africa’ (Nwoke, 2020, this issue of AREF), which offers a timely reminder of the nature, scale and extent of reforms inherent in meaningful development regime change. It suggests ways in which the very useful conversation initiated here can be both deepened and widened. In particular, I make a case for greater consideration of what Büscher (2019) calls the ‘environmental dimensions of development’, on the one hand,
and also of imperialism in its manifestation as neoliberal globalisation, on the other. A key lesson must be that the prospects of the project for radical transformation proposed would be much enhanced by a clearer strategic political direction or orientation, and an equally tactical investment in global networks and/or transnational alliances of solidarity.