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298 Annals Am. Acad. Pol. & Soc. Sci. vii (1955)

handle is hein.cow/anamacp0298 and id is 1 raw text is: FOREWORD Africa plays an increasingly important role in world affairs. The continent is involved, to an ever widening extent, in a complex network of world communica- tions, global strategy, and world politics. Changes are in process which are modi- fying, and in some areas transforming, the economies, social structures, cultures, ideologies, and aspirations of the divergent peoples of Africa. In the course of these changes, the political relations between African territories or countries and the great centers of organized political power in the Western world are being re- shaped and realigned, in some regions radically so. In effect, we are now witnessing in Africa the early stages in the development of a revolutionary situation which is barely perceptible in some areas but is clearly manifest in other parts of the continent such, for example, as the Union of South Africa or the Gold Coast. The symptoms of this emerging revolutionary situation are mirrored in the weakening of traditional systems and the erosion of ancient social forms and sanctions; the development of new types of economic, social, and political structures within which peoples who were relatively isolated from one an- other in times past are now brought into a complex web of contacts, with result- ing insecurities, tensions, and conflicts; and the emergence of new relationships, social types, and movements which are not easily contained, if at all, within the framework of traditional social orders and established political and power systems. The purpose of this issue of THE ANNALS is to illuminate some of the basic re- alities and situations prevailing and to analyze selected developments and issues in contemporary Africa. The first four articles focus on the environmental realities, the fundamental characteristics of the peoples and cultures of Africa, and the con- tinent's role historically in world affairs. The four articles that follow outline some of the characteristic economic features of Africa, with emphasis on condi- tions and problems associated with economic change. The last three articles in this section diagnose specific developments in selected areas, while the first article, by Mr. La Macchia, gives a more generalized exposition of African economic situa- tions and issues. The six articles in the section on Political Framework and Dynamics explore some of the continent's important political problems and analyze specific political situations in selected regions and countries. As originally planned, this section was to include an article on the important and dramatic political developments in Kenya and Uganda, but because of the contributor's illness he was unable to finish the article. It should be stressed, however, that it was not the aim in any of these sections to cover all areas but merely to provide a generalized account of the funda- mentals, with some case studies of particular situations which seemed to have wider implications. The three articles in the final section provide brief accounts of the impact of urbanization, Christianity, and education in Africa, with special reference to the role of these factors in social change. Actually, of course, there is no sharp sepa- ration between economic, political, and social situations in Africa-or elsewhere. The breakdown used here merely suggests a scheme and points of emphasis for the analysis of the varied aspects of the complex reality represented by contemporary Africa. vii

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