This collection of seventeen papers focuses on the processes of social change engendered by the processes of globalisation in the developing world. They critically re-examine concepts and theories that are informing contemporary discourse, which, in the collective opinion of the contributors, is largely a discourse in which people are considered targets; and human processes, strategies and operations. The book is divided into sections on: theoretical perspectives and dominant paradigms; democratic governance and the international environment; university governance and academic freedom; democracy and languages; and gender and human rights for children. Specific studies include: political science and 'paradigmatic shifts' in the social sciences in Africa; the teaching of dynamic political economy; rethinking democracy in the post-nationalistic state; teacing and researching public policy in contemporary African universities; the role of universities in achieving democratic governance; cost provision and the provision of university education in Uganda; language, identity and democracy;language policy and Kiswahili as the defining feature of democracy in Tanzania, mainstreaming gender in the humanities and social sciences disciplines, and child welfare in sub-Sahran Africa. The editor is Professor of History at the University of Dar es Salaam; and the contributors are drawn from the University of Dar es Salaam, as well as universities in Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda, and the USA.