Identity Dispositions, Development and Economic Progress in Africa

Abstract

The world we live in today is characterised by technology, and the twenty-first century in particular can be adequately and justifiably called the digital era. The current era has seen an upsurge in the use of technology in all spheres of life, and this has revolutionised the way we do things. From communication to politics, to morality and religion, technology has become a central determinant factor. However, inasmuch as technology has become a characteristic feature of the twenty-first century, Africa still lags behind in terms of the development of uniquely African technology that the world can adopt and use. In this chapter, I examine the role of identity dispositions in the development of technology and economic development. I argue that the more members of a given country have a proclivity towards scientific/secular reasoning, the more economically developed it is. I also show that the main reason why Africa is lagging behind in terms of technological advancement is that it is stuck in the pre-industrialisation era where religious/traditional identity dispositions are given a dominant role. Although the preservation of such values in essential to maintaining a people’s identity, I argue that such an environment has a tendency of promoting ignorance. An environment that works on the conviction of absolutes and does not pay heed to evidence, stifles creativity and subsequently innovation. I propose a culture where traditional values and norms are considered important, insofar as these do not impede the development of new ideas and solutions that promote economic emancipation.