Graduation Year

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Department

Political Science

Degree Granting Department

Political Science

Major Professor

Earl Conteh-Morgan, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Mark Amen, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Ambe Njoh, Ph.D.

Keywords

liberalization, World Bank, privatization, Africa, civil war

Abstract

Since their inception in African countries, structural adjustment has tended to cause more harm than help. This thesis aims to answer the question, in what ways have structural adjustment policies impacted Africa in general and Sierra Leone in particular? This question is highly relevant when it is considered that Africa is one of the poorest regions in the world and has experiences much conflict and suffering. In addition, much is known about the impact of structural adjustment in many African countries. However, little has been written on the impact of structural adjustment in Sierra Leone, especially in terms of the impact of structural adjustment on conflict. The hypothesis of this thesis is that the impact of structural adjustment policies has tended to increase poverty. Poverty has led to frustration and conflict in Africa in general and Sierra Leone in particular. In order to substantiate this hypothesis I have elected to focus on the years between 1960 and the late 1980s. The finding contained within this thesis show that structural adjustment policies may have led to a reduction of social services that include health, education and unemployment.

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