Suchergebnisse

It is the cultural content of the challenge posed by the new states of tropical Africa that is the subject of this paper. Post-colonial societies are transitional; they are making deliberate efforts to redefine their cultures. Cultural en gineering, the deliberate political effort to channel behavior toward maximizing national objectives, particularly national integration, demands the notion of culture as an intervention ist agent. Since independence, African politics has focused on the search for institutions and strategies to promote na tion-building, economic development, and national and con tinental unity. African nations face the problem of how to select national, inspirational symbols that do not alienate their traditions. A related problem is the conflict between national cultural identity and growing cultural convergence. To be effective, cultural policy must be lived by the people who are the culture-builders. It cannot be achieved without cultural strain, and even among countries sharing a similar colonial experience, cultural policy may vary.

The academic career has its great obligations. It also has its privileges. It is a particularly gratifying honor to have the opportunity to address this distinguished audience of Africanists drawn from many nations. As your retiring President, this honor is compounded by the great privilege to address you on a subject of my own choosing—apparently simple and innocent enough until one thinks about what an intimidating experience it really is.

Postcolonial societies are characterized by: (1) their transitional nature, & (2) their deliberate efforts to redefine their cultures. Cultural engineering, ie, the deliberate political effort to channel behavior toward maximizing national objectives, particularly national integration, demands the notion of culture as an interventionist agent. Since independence, African politics have focused on the search for institutions & strategies to promote nation-building, economic development, & national & continental unity. African nations face the problem of how to select national inspirational symbols which do not alienate their traditions. A related problem is the conflict between national cultural identity & growing cultural convergence. To be effective, cultural policy must be lived by the people who are the culture-builders. It cannot be achieved without cultural strain, & even among countries sharing a similar colonial experience, cultural policy may vary. Modified HA.