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Ali A. Mazrui, the Postcolonial Theorist

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 April 2014

Seifudein Adem
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Abstract:

The primary goal of this article is to examine why Ali A. Mazrui is a relatively obscure figure in postcolonial theory despite the outstanding contributions he has made to it. It argues that the explanation can be found in the nature of postcolonial theory itself, and in Mazrui’s perceived ideology and cultural identity. The article, then, introduces Mazrui’s theory of the “triple heritage,” his most innovative and, possibly, most enduring contribution to scholarship. It also explains the specificity of Mazrui’s brand of postcolonial theory as well as the complexity and breadth of his thinking about Africa in general.

Résumé:

L’objectif principal de cet article est d’examiner pourquoi Ali Mazrui est une autorité relativement obscure dans la théorie postcoloniale, malgré les contributions exceptionnelles qu’il y a apportées. Cet article soutient que l’explication peut se trouver dans la nature même de la théorie postcoloniale, ainsi que dans l’idéologie et l’identité culturelle perçues de Mazrui. Par la suite, cet article introduit la théorie de Mazrui du “triple héritage,” probablement sa contribution théorique la plus innovante et la plus durable. Il explique aussi la spécificité de la marque de Mazrui sur la théorie postcoloniale ainsi que la complexité et l’ampleur de sa réflexion sur l’Afrique en général.

Keywords

Ali A. MazruiAfrican studiespostcolonial theorytriple heritageidentity politics
Type
ASR FOCUS ON ALI A. MAZRUI
Information
African Studies Review , Volume 57 , Issue 1 , April 2014 , pp. 135 - 152
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2014 

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