Ideology and the Social Sciences: The African Experience
Goran Hyden
Abstract: The article discusses ideology and the social sciences from an African experience. It argues that the increasingly pragmatism in policy outlook has not necessarily been harmful, because it has forced decision-makers to become realistic and practical about what can be done in the context of poverty-ridden countries. The article emphasises the influential role that official ideology has had on the perception and role for social science research. It concludes by stating that the experience that African social scientists have drawn points in the direction of greater freedom and recognition by society of their own role in public affairs. The prospect for emancipation from ‘developmentalist’ straightjacket does not exist today and it should be seized by responsible intellectuals.