ABSTRACT
This chapter provides theoretical insight into the relationship between the state and development based mainly on the experiences of "early developers" of Western Europe, but also the "late developers" of some non-Western societies. Against this backdrop, the chapter examines the origin, nature and functioning of the African state and draws some parallels and contrasts that illuminate some of the problems militating against socioeconomic development in Africa, particularly Ghana, which provides the context for this study.
