Reason in History Hegel and Social Changes in Africa

Has there been or can there ever be a structural change that would reveal an internal dynamic to African societies? In this investigation, the elements determining the forms and laws of social change are of less interest than the possibility of change itself. Is change universal or just a property of a certain type of social totality? Reason in History examines these questions through a critical analysis of Hegelian theses on Africa. Going beyond the negative theses, Hegel's theories can ultimately be read to do Africa justice. A closer scrutiny reveals that his ideas do acknowledge the true reality of traditional African societies and recognize that Africa is not and never has been static. The book fosters a greater appreciation of the grandeur and complexity of Hegel's dialectic as well. He is still judging our world, despite what postmodernist scholars and ethnophilosophers might think.

Babacar Camara is associate professor of black world studies, comparative literature, and French at Miami University in Ohio.