ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that African intellectuals should go beyond critiquing conventional theories, be they economic, political, psychological or philosophical, to proposing alternative theories rooted in African culture and worldviews. Action research challenges the tendency of conventional social science to arrogate to itself the ability to reflect on things and people and take this as the status quo for all cultures. The chapter argues that participatory action research (PAR) is more effective, sustainable and productive when it embraces research and action, and then evolves further to embrace the four paxes or Pax Africana: Communis, Spiritus, Scientia and Economia. PAR is an action-oriented way of doing research towards the social transformation of a society, which includes the radical engagement of the community itself in defining the research goals and driving as well as owning the research process. PAR puts emphasis on communal inquiry and action grounded in experience and the social context of a people.
