Introduction To African Social Policies

From the precolonial period to today, Julien Bokilo analyzes the effectiveness of social and economic measures undertaken for the development of the Republic of Congo with regard to all of sub-Saharan Africa. This documented and unprecedented sociohistorical study feeds on new perspectives in public policy planning, development and implementation. • The knowledge of specificities of poverty and exclusion in the African companies; • The possibility of making the correlation and the transposition of the principles of the public policies on the African facts, the case of the reintegration of the native populations and the albinos. In addition, the relevance of this work is in the fact that it tackles the question of the struggle against the poverty and the exclusion, which are problems whose recurrence is quasi endemic and alarming in process of the socio-economic and political development process of African countries. Also, in an economic context of unprecedented crisis in Republic of Congo and in the surrounding countries, the economic zone of the central Africa sub-area mainly, the social policies are of an interest somehow crucial for their capacities to suppress the harmful effects of the recessions. In fact, this work really meets a scientific expectation, as it is based on verifiable arguments, because founded on the theory and the facts.

The essays document the shifting trajectories of social policy in Africa, the current state of play in the field, and the alternative vision of social policy framed by the idea of Transformative Social Policy.

Africa is now in a much-improved position to support its poor and vulnerable people. It has more money, more policy commitment and abundant intervention programmes. Yet the number of citizens living lives of desperation, or at risk of destitution, is at an all-time high, and still rising. What is turning such positive prospects into such a disappointing result? Politics, Public Policy and Social Protection in Africa reveals key answers, drawing on empirical studies of cash transfer programmes in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. Social cash transfer might be the most effective "safety net" formula to emerge so far. The country chapters in this book explore why it works and how it might be harnessed for poverty alleviation. The studies uncover the very different motives of donors, politicians and the poor themselves for making it their preferred choice; why governments are not expanding the donor-driven pilot programmes as expected, and why ruling elites are not trying to help or hinder a concept which, on the face of it, could derail one of their most lucrative gravy trains. This book will be of value and interest to researchers and students of African politics, African social policy and sociology, as well as policy maker and donors.

Social Policy And Human Development In Zambia discusses social policy and human development endeavours in Zambia, including the various societal forces that converged on the country in both the pre-colonial and colonial periods and which later influenced post-colonial social policy initiatives. The pre-colonial era epitomised indigenous forms of social protection that safeguarded the well-being of Africans. Colonial rule, which was foreign in orientation, was geared towards meeting the needs of a small European settler population through social policy programmes. Most of the discussions in the book unfold in the setting of a post-colonial society. The central thesis of the book is that social policy and human development in Zambia are inextricably bound up with the political and economic forces in the country and that they constantly reinforce each other. Politics is taken as an important variable that legitimises the role of politicians and policy-makers in determining the development path of the country. Thus, their efficacy, lack of depth or ineptitude will be translated into the way public policies, including social policy, are formulated and implemented. Given the normative nature of social policy, it is argued that ideology plays a critical role in both its formulation and execution. This argument is brought home by showing how the socialist government in Zambia during the 1960s and 1970s relied upon ideology to marshal social policy towards the goal of national development. Based on the analyses of different political eras in the country the book also argues that the economy is the central pillar in the implementation of social policy and the provision of social services.

The author is a distinguished Ghanaian sociologist, and the genesis of this book is the view that material available is inadequate and inappropriate to introduce students of African descent to the field of social issues.

Social welfare and the social contract -- Paradigms and approaches to social welfare -- Precusors of institutional social welfare -- The politics of race and social welfare in South Africa -- The "poor white problem" : causes, scope and public response -- Institutionalisation of social welfare in South Africa -- The non-state social welfare sector in South Africa -- The political economy of social welfare in post-apartheid South Africa -- The South African social welfare system and the new social contract

Many new development initiatives have been introduced in Africa over the past few decades. Each of these has been heralded as marking a new era in the continent‘s development. However, many of these initiatives have failed to produce sustained results due to numerous challenges, including, most importantly, the lack of good governance. The Africa P

For millions of Africans, the social situation is dire. Over half of the population of Sub-Sahara Africa do not have access to improved sanitation facilities, and about a quarter are undernourished. If factors such as armed conflicts in the region, the impact of climate change, or the widespread presence of a broad range of infectious agents are considered, it shows a large number of Africans living in very fragile circumstances, highly vulnerable to any kind of shock or rapid change. Small, informal community groups deliver the majority of social protection services in Africa, but most of these are disqualified from official recognition, support or integration with state systems because they do not "fit" the modern management model of accountability. The studies in this book challenge that verdict. This book outlines insightful and valuable research generated by teams of established scholars. It is divided into nine studies exploring the governance of non-state actors in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda. It examines the numerous self-help groups and their effectiveness, and argues that if the modern management model is right – why do so many Africans avoid interacting with it? The book provides a warning against undermining what is possibly the single greatest social protection resource throughout Africa in the name of "reform", and suggests that the modern welfare establishment needs to adapt to (and learn from) self-help groups - not the other way around. Non-State Social Protection Actors and Services in Africa will be of interest to donors, policy makers, practitioners, and students and scholars of African Studies, social policy and politics.