“How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” is a book written by Walter Rodney, published in 1972. In the book, Rodney argues that Africa was deliberately underdeveloped by Europe during the period of colonization and after independence, through a variety of economic, political, and cultural practices.
REVIEW
The book begins by explaining the pre-colonial history of Africa, highlighting the fact that Africa had a number of advanced civilizations and was not a “blank slate” when Europe began colonizing the continent. Rodney then details the various ways in which Europe extracted resources and wealth from Africa, including through the slave trade, land expropriation, and exploitation of natural resources.
One of the key arguments of the book is that Europe’s development was built on the underdevelopment of Africa. Rodney contends that the wealth and resources extracted from Africa were crucial to the Industrial Revolution and the subsequent economic growth of Europe. He also argues that the economic policies imposed on Africa by Europe, such as the structural adjustment programs of the IMF and World Bank, have continued to undermine Africa’s development.
Rodney also discusses the cultural impacts of colonialism on Africa, including the way in which European ideologies were imposed on Africa and the way in which African cultures were denigrated and suppressed. He asserts that the cultural domination of Europe has contributed to the ongoing underdevelopment of Africa, as it has led to a lack of self-confidence and self-determination among many African people.
Overall, “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” is a powerful and thought-provoking examination of the history of Africa and its relationship with Europe. Rodney’s arguments are well-supported by historical evidence and provide a compelling critique of the ways in which Africa has been marginalized and exploited by Europe. The book is an important read for anyone interested in the history of Africa and the ongoing challenges faced by the continent.
THE AUTHOR
Walter Rodney was a Guyanese historian, political activist, and academic. He was born in Guyana in 1942 and received his undergraduate degree from the University of the West Indies before going on to earn his PhD in African History from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.
In addition to his academic work, Rodney was also a political activist and was involved in various liberation movements throughout Africa and the Caribbean.
Tragically, Rodney was assassinated in 1980 at the age of 38 while he was visiting the capital of what is now Zimbabwe. His death was widely mourned, and his contributions to the fields of history and political activism continue to be recognized and celebrated.
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