These essays review Africa's economic performance over the last two decades from a contemporary historical perspective. The contributors include Professor Luhanga, and Professor Issa Shivji, from the University of Dar es Salaam. They argue that the problem in East Africa is the lack of integration into a world economy and culture; and simultaneously, the African way of life developing as a hybrid of ideas, values and behaviour which erodes independent/national identities and political and economic life.