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7 - Cultural Values

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 December 2009

Michael Bratton
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
Robert Mattes
Affiliation:
University of Cape Town
E. Gyimah-Boadi
Affiliation:
University of Ghana
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Summary

If the structure of African societies is changing, then cultural values assuredly are also adapting and evolving. Etounga-Manguelle summarizes the conventional starting point for understanding cultural values on the continent: “African thought rejects any view of the individual as an autonomous and responsible being … the African can only bloom and develop through social and family life.” According to this familiar formula, members of kin groups are encouraged, from childhood onward, to define their identities and behaviors in terms of obligations to a community. Goran Hyden gives pride of place to such indigenous norms when he depicts traditional rural life in terms of an “economy of affection,” which is based on “the principle of reciprocity embedded in customary rules.”

Against this background, however, Africans have been thrust into a modern world where, starting with formal education and extending through wage employment, they perform as individuals. It would be a mistake to assume that socialization into indigenous norms leaves people entirely unprepared for such challenges. With reference to child-rearing practices, Weisner notes that “individualism, autonomy, self-reliance, and self-expression are also encouraged … there are children and families throughout Africa ready to engage in new forms of market activity and civic life.” In deconstructing the idea of an “economy of affection,” Lemarchand makes a powerful case that reciprocity and cooperation are based as much on self-interest as on altruism.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2004

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  • Cultural Values
  • Michael Bratton, Michigan State University, Robert Mattes, University of Cape Town, E. Gyimah-Boadi, University of Ghana
  • Book: Public Opinion, Democracy, and Market Reform in Africa
  • Online publication: 15 December 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511617324.008
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  • Cultural Values
  • Michael Bratton, Michigan State University, Robert Mattes, University of Cape Town, E. Gyimah-Boadi, University of Ghana
  • Book: Public Opinion, Democracy, and Market Reform in Africa
  • Online publication: 15 December 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511617324.008
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Cultural Values
  • Michael Bratton, Michigan State University, Robert Mattes, University of Cape Town, E. Gyimah-Boadi, University of Ghana
  • Book: Public Opinion, Democracy, and Market Reform in Africa
  • Online publication: 15 December 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511617324.008
Available formats
×