The document discusses various theories and perspectives on development in Africa, including: 1) Marxist and modernization theories from the 1950s-60s viewed development as stages leading to industrialization and capitalism, but these models did not accurately describe Africa's experience. 2) Dependency theorists like Rodney argued that European colonialism and the slave trade underdeveloped Africa by extracting resources and redirecting profits abroad. 3) More recent approaches emphasize participatory development, human rights, and measuring development through indicators like health, education, and standard of living rather than just economic growth. 4) Scholars also critique the common Western perspectives that portray Africa as a tragic, underdeveloped continent in need of outside help, rather