Political change in Sierra Leone : A dysrhythmic process

With the arrival of political independence for many African colonial states, increasing attention has been focused on analyzing social change and modernization among these states. Many of the models used for such analysis are unidirectional in nature, for they are based upon the assumption that once social change has begun, all subsequent change will be consistent with initial social change. Such models are eurythmic in character. More recently, however, eurythmic models have been challenged by the experience of several African states. It has been observed that social change does not always follow consistent, unidirectional patterns. In such cases, one suspects that a dysrhythmic model of modernization might be more applicable and fruitful for inquiry. It is the hypothesis of this paper that Sierra Leone is one such case where a eurythmic model of modernization is inapplicable. Indeed, social change has followed, and will most likely continue to follow, a dysrhythmic process of change. To test this proposition, historical and survey research data on Sierra Leone were used. The conceptual framework was borrowed from James Coleman and Carl Rosberg's book entitled Political Parties and National Integration in Tropical Africa. Prior to the nationalists' movement for political independence, tribal Chiefs gained influential political positions vis-a-vis the colonial regime. From 1951, the Sierra Leone People's Party effectively integrated both modern and traditional elements into a dominant political party in Sierra Leone. It is doubtful that such patterns of change will be challenged by those students (a presumptive political elite) attending the University College in 1959. This conclusion is based upon survey data generated by Arthur Porter which reflect a tendency to accept the integration of traditional and modem elements into a national political system.