Are African Core Institutions Altruistic or Egoistic? Samuel Enajite Enajero Delves Into the Socioeconomic Matter with His Book

To understand why Sub-Saharan Africa lags in development, one should read and reflect on the book “Collective Institutions in Industrialized Nations: Economic Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa” (Page Publishing; 2015) by Dr. Samuel Enajite Enajero. This book briefs readers, particularly students and watchers of history, politics, and economics, on the economic history and economic underdevelopment of Sub-Saharan Africa.  
 
Chapter 5 “Collective Institutions, Altruism, and Economics” should be of particular interest to readers as this chapter expounds economics as a collective institution and examines the relationship between altruism and economic growth and the said sentiment’s role and impact in an all-inclusive economy.
 
“If economics is a group institution,” said Dr. Enajero, “we need to consider some characteristics inherent in group interdependence that make economies flourish and the absence of group consideration results to sluggish economic activities.” One should take into account certain sentiments – altruism and egoism – that will affect group relationships.
 
Dr. Enajero points out that the modern economic man is not self-seeking (egoistic) but a “utilitarian” who believes “everyone in a geographical nation at least should be on board and participates in any form to raise national income.” Such inclusive economic participation is possible only in nations with strong collective institutions, such as in Europe and Asia. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the lack of strong collective institutions and the prevalence of egoism hampers inclusive economic participation.
 
Indeed, the lack of collective institutions reflects the lack of altruism in African societies. This is evident in the Africans’ form of worship, which Dr. Enajero describes as personal, discrete, and secret. The Africans’ core behavioral institutions are non-cooperative and egoistic. “Cooperation in worship is impossible,” says the author.  
 
It also doesn’t help that Africans tend to invest more of their time and effort on leisure (non-money income) activities than on labor (money income) activities. Leisure activities include entertainment, sleep, partying, and socializing. Labor activities include farming, artworks, creativity, and researching.
 
Inclusive economic participation is also impossible because Africa relies on exports of agricultural and natural resources. Plus, the political leaders and business elites lack concern for the lower class and refuse to include them in their country’s social and economic dynamics.
 
Read more about these matters in Dr. Samuel Enajite Enajero’s “Collective Institutions in Industrialized Nations: Economic Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa.” Purchase today on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
 
 
 
Collective Institutions in Industrialized Nations: Economic Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa
Author | Samuel Enajite Enajero, Ph.D.
Published date | November 5, 2015
Publisher | Page Publishing
Book retail price |
 
Author Bio
 
Samuel Enajite Enajero is a researcher, visiting assistant professor and lecturer and academic author with a Ph.D. in Economics.
 

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