How Colonialism Preempted Modernity in Africa »

Olúfémi Táíwò is Professor of Philosophy and Global African Studies and Director of the Global African Studies Program at Seattle University. He is author of Legal Naturalism: A Marxist Theory of Law.

Why hasn't Africa been able to respond to the challenges of modernity and globalization? Going against the conventional wisdom that colonialism brought modernity to Africa, Olúfémi Táíwò claims that Africa was already becoming modern and that colonialism was an unfinished project. Africans aspired to liberal democracy and the rule of law, but colonial officials aborted those efforts when they established indirect rule in the service of the European powers. Táíwò looks closely at modern institutions, such as church missionary societies, to recognize African agency and the impulse toward progress. He insists that Africa can get back on track and advocates a renewed engagement with modernity. Immigration, capitalism, democracy, and globalization, if done right this time, can be tools that shape a positive future for Africa.

Introduction: Of Subjectivity and Sociocryonics

Part 1. Colonialism1. Colonialism: A Philosophical Profile2. Running Aground on Colonial Shores: The Saga of Modernity and Colonialism3. Prophets without Honor: African Apostles of Modernity in the Nineteenth Century4. Reading the Colonizer's Mind: Lord Lugard and the Philosophical Foundations of British Colonialism

Part 2. The Aftermath5. The Legal Legacy: Twilight Before Dawn6. Two Modern African Constitutions

Part 3. Looking Forward7. Globalization: Doing It Right This Time AroundConclusion

NotesSelected BibliographyIndex