Exploration of Claude Ake’s Historical Thinking

Abstract

Claude Ake was one of African’s finest minds and brilliant social
scientists, whose intellectual oeuvres covered economics, political science,
political economy, economic and political development, political theory,
and democracy. But in a rare intellectual detour into academic and
professional history, he gives insightful and impactful reflections on the
subject of history. In this essay, we explore that particular work through
its sub-themes such as its importance, relevance, and centrality to social
sciences in general, its role in knowledge seeking, its limited perspectives,
and Nigerian history (in both its progressive and retrogressive-elitist
dimensions). Using content analysis method, this essay explores Ake’s
deep reflections on history and identifies some important insights
which should help social scientists in advancing scientific research. His
recommendations for the future of academic history include that social
sciences cannot provide systematic explanation of social reality without
historical analysis; the rigid partition between social sciences and history
must be erased; academic history itself must follow certain protocols. For
instance, it should not focus only on the past, Nigerian historians must
transcend writing bourgeois and elitist history and must look at society in
totality. The essay concludes agreeing with Ake that Nigerian historical
scholarship must first be committed to societal change, bringing the masses and their struggles to the centre of history. Finally, it must be a potent tool for understanding and changing social reality.