This work is an attempt to deconstruct some of the myths that have become an integral part of the literature on the political economy of adjustment particularly with reference to Africa. This work is from the non-economists perspective and is macro in nature. As such ti does not focus on any on country of set of countries in Africa. Its primary aim is to relate the imperatives of adjustment processes in Sub-Saharan Africa. Contrary to the popular viewpoint that structural adjustment programmes are failures in Africa, this work contends that they just cannot be considered so. At least, not yet. The study calls for a total commitment to development through structural adjustment, the African governments have to govern, not just rule. None of these however, says the author, can absolve the international financial institutions of their social responsibilities: they have to handle the African economies with tender sensitivity and a sense of purpose.

Contents :

I GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES AND THE AFRICAN CONTEXT

1. Global Economic Backdrop and Sub-Saharan African Economics : A Macro Prespective

II ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT OF AFRICA

1. The Essence of Economic Adjustment
2. The IMF-World Bank Approach
3. The Economic Performance of Sub-Saharan Africa - Some Explanations

III ISSUES CENTRAL TO ADJUSTMENT IN AFRICA

1. Agriculture
2. Industrialisation and Structural Adjustment in Africa
3. External Debt

IV THE CHALLENGES

1. The Tasks Ahead and the Political Economy Issue

Appendices

Select References