Message-ID: <9604011517.ZM1867@visidel.cau.edu> Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 15:17:43 -0500 From: Darren Bolden <mailto:daaim@VISIDEL.CAU.EDU> Subject: Re: Traditional I.T. Before the Internet ?! To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
On Mar 31, 1:03pm, Guy-Maurille Massamba wrote:> For the purpose of a comparative analysis, it might be interesting to see
> what other developing societies (outside Africa) are gaining from their
> communication with the rest of the world through the internet and how these
> societies have been transformed positively or negatively. This could help
> perceive the interests and the inconveniences involved for African societies
> in using the internet. Of course, I am not assuming the possibility of
> generalizing experiences which are determined by particular histories. As I
> said, it is a comparative perspective.
I concur with the validity of Mr. Massamba's point. If you recall, in post-WWII, the West developed models to prepare Africa for "independence". This was due in part to the devastation of Western Europe and the region's preoccupation with their own development. In subsequent years during the ripple of Africa's independence movements, the West designed these linear models (i.e. Lerner's "modernization" model) with notions of transferrable "development".
These models were designed to create in Africa, structures compatible with those existing in the West. Subjects such as comparative adminstration and comparative politics evolved out of this mode of thought. Whether these models succeeded depends on who you ask. Regardless, Africa certainly cannot afford a repeat episode.
Thus, the same question has arisen in reference to the role of IT. The question here is not whether Africa should reinvent the wheel, but whether Africa can analyze the distinct political, economic, legal, cultural and physical situations and adapt existing IT to suit the needs of the indigenous people.
Is anyone familiar with regional studies done on the adaptability of existing IT and the analysis of how these variables were handled?
Please respond. Peace be unto you.
D. Bolden