UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
DEVELOPMENT STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Course Code: DEV 2250
Course Title: POLITICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHANGE IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES
Pre-requisite: DEV 1150
AIMS: This course aims at cultivating an understanding of the dynamics of societal change by
offering a comparative analysis of different experiences of Countries using different theoretical
perspectives. The course also aims at providing an opportunity to analyze recent trends in the global
economy and how they impact on development in Developing Countries.
OBJECTIVES: By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic theoretical knowledge of the dynamics of change
and development;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of the relationship between development
policies and the socio-political context in which they are implemented;
3. Evaluate various approaches to development by employing techniques in political economy;
and
4. Inform development policy on the implications of different theoretical perspectives on
development and societal change
COURSE CONTENT
1. Introduction
• Political change
• Socio-Economic change
• Political-Economy
2. Theories of Political and Socio-Economic Change
• Liberal approach
• Radical approach
• Structural functionalist approach
• Marxist and Neo-Marxist theories
• Neo-liberalist approach
• Inclusive growth theories
3. Pre-Colonial Social Formations
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• Social formation
• African modes of production.
4. Theories of Imperialism
• Liberal theories
• Radical theories.
5. Colonial Social Formation
• Different patterns of incorporation into the world economy
• Mercantilism and underdevelopment
• Articulation of modes of production.
6. Class Formation
• Marxist approach
• Weberian approach.
7. Nationalism
• Perspectives on nationalism
• National liberation struggle
• Constitutionalism
• Nation-State formation
8. Post-colonial Situation
• Nature and character of the post-colonial state
• The crisis of the post-colonial state (Neo-colonialism, underdevelopment/dependence,
ethnicity and national building).
9. Crisis of Development’ in Developing Countries
• Nature and magnitude of the development crisis
• Interpretations of the causes of the development crisis (external and internal factors)
• Internal adjustments to the development crisis
• Administrative controls of the economy
• Open economy policies.
10. Political Economy of Foreign Aid
• Conventional Aid theory
• Aid critique: the Right wing and Left wing
• NGOs and aid.
• The reality of aid and its effectiveness
• Aid in the 21st Century
• Debt and development
11. Multilateral Financial Institutions and Emerging Alternatives
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank: Different mandates
• Policy based lending and conditionality
• Cross conditionality in the 1980s to date.
• Aid from the far East
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12. Political Economy of Reforms in Developing Countries
• Quick fix and long haul structural adjustment
• Politics of implementation process
13. Political and Economic liberalization
• Democratization process
• Democracy and civil society
• Redefining the role of the state.
14. Neo-Liberal Approach to Development
• Evaluation of evidence from Developing Countries
• Case study of one African country.
15. Cross-Cutting Issues in Political and socio-Economic Change (new unit)
• Globalization and change
• Social transformations and sustainability
• Gender and social change
• Corruption and development
ASSESSEMEMT
Continuous Assessment:
• One test = 20%
• Two essays of 10% each = 20%
Total continuous assessment = 40%
Final Examination = 60%
Total course assessment = 100%
TEACHING METHOD
There will be four contact hours per week comprising three lectures of one hour duration each and
one one-hour tutorial.
REQUIRED READINGS
Allen, K. Marx and the Alternative to Capitalism (Pluto Press, London, 2011).
Nyangwinye, N. Major Events in African History: The Origins and Development of Modern African
Societies. (Nyambari Nyangwine Publishers, Dar es Salaam, 2008).
Singer, H.W., and R. Sumit, Economic Progress and Prospects in Developing Countries(Edward
Elgar Publishers, London, 1993).
Harberson, J.M. & D. Rothchild (eds), Africa in World Politics (Westview Press, Oxford, 1991).
Ntalaja, N., Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Africa Essays in Contemporary Politics (ZED
Press, London, 1987).
Riddel, C.R., Foreign Aid Reconsidered (ODI, London, 1987).
Gutkind, P.C.W. and P. Waterman (eds), African Social Studies (Heineman, London, 1977).
Owen, R. and B. Sutcliffe (eds) Studies in the Theory of Imperialism (Longman, London 1972).
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RECOMMENDED READINGS
Moyo, D. Edges of Chaos: Why Democracy is Failing to Deliver Economic Growth and How to Fix
it. (Little Brown, 2018).
Sardanis, A. Zambia: The First 50 Years. (I.B Tauris Co Ltd, London, 2014).
Kasekende, L. et al. The Oxford Companion to the Economics of Africa. (Oxford University Press,
Oxford, 2012).
Thirlwall, A. P. Economics of Development, 9th Edition. (Palgrave MaCmillan, England, 2011).
Pozuelo-Monfort, J. The Monfort Plan: The New Architecture of Capitalism. (John Wiley & Sons,
Inc, New Jersey, 2010).
Wangari, M. The Challenge for Africa. (Penguine Random House, 2009).
Mutesa, F. et al. Poverty Reduction in a Political Trap. (UNZA Press, Lusaka, 2005).
Streeten, P., “Markets and States: Against Minimalism” in World Development vol. 21, No. 8, 1993
Ingham, B., “The Meaning of Development: The interaction between the New and Old ideas” in
World Development vol. 21, No. 11, 1993.
Rau, B., From Feast to Famine (ZED Press, London, 1991).
Cornia, G.A., et al (eds) Adjustment with a Human Face vol. 1 (Oxford University Press, New York,
1987).
World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa: From Crisis to Sustainable Growth (World Bank, Washington
D.C. 1989.
