Anticolonial capitalism: How Ghana came to embrace market-led development theory (the 1970s-1990s)

The shift from the Keynesian welfare state to neoliberal market society is understood have taken place in Global North between, 1970s and 1990s while South was forced accept economic liberalization austerity, as devised by World Bank International Monetary Fund (IMF). This article redresses this imbalance studying how African economists, sociologists politicians Ghana co-wrote development theory, co-created an anticolonial definition of capitalism shaped Ghanaian diplomacy which sought create a different kind order. When Jerry Rawlings staged his final coup 1981, he transformed someone with vague socialist sympathies into leader who spearheaded reform applied for loans IMF. Rather than cynical move retain power, argues advisers were part broader intellectual Socialism, dependency theory Marxism rejected ineffective. Instead, came be wielded new weapon liberation 1980s. Principal thinkers connection Jonathan H. Frimpong-Ansah, Kwesi Botchwey James C.W. Ahiakpor. They are analysed explores foundation political regime that fundamentally changed