Paper short abstract:

The central thesis is that Africa is in a dilemma because of the application of Western oriented ideas for development.

Paper long abstract:

The paper observes that although the world is multipolar in nature, ideas that influence development processes on the global scale is Western-inspired. Given the fact that Africa lacks a clearly discernible strategy for fostering socio-economic transformations, the reliance on exogenous ideas becomes compelling. African states in line with the ideas encapsulated in the Washington consensus have been called upon to liberalize and deregulate their economies. This among other things has resulted in the ousting of the state from making decisions on economic affairs thereby making states in Africa idle especially in social provisioning. Indeed, because the decision-making apparatuses of the state is located outside the continent, it becomes difficult for African states to provide the citizenry with basic necessities of life. The paper further argues that since African states can no longer initiate and implement policies that are capable of lifting the poor, they are in a dilemma. this is because non-performamnce by the state robs its legitimacy and loyalty of the citizens.The paper calls for among other things, a cautious integration to the global economy and a rejection of some of the alien development ideas.