Africa emerged from colonialism with nothing of its own. As conflicts in former settler colonies have revealed, Africans still have to wage wars to reclaim the land of their ancestors. Independent Africa did not possess a language of its own because the entire system of colonialism was based on the assumption that everything African was primitive and had to be replaced with “superior” European cultures. This was the philosophy behind the “civilization mission” of European colonialism.
It was in this process of “civilizing” Africans that entire African cultures were wiped out. Africans were forced to think, eat, dress and behave like Europeans as a measurement of their level of civilization. In French colonies, those who successfully embraced French culture became the assimilés. This system of grading Africans according to their ability to adapt to European cultural standards was replicated throughout colonial Africa. After independence therefore, Africa embraced socialism as its new identity.
Towards a Definition of African Socialism
How is African socialism different from Marxism, communism and other forms of leftist ideological expression? Is it the historical, geographical, anthropological and sociological contexts which make African socialism peculiar? Is African socialism a continuation and manifestation of anti-imperialism? These and more are among some of the most intriguing questions that beg for answers in every attempt to define African socialism.
The popularity of the term African socialism as employed in post-colonial political discourse was highlighted by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President and a leading advocate of socialism in Africa. “African socialism” says Nkrumah, “has now come to acquire some of its greatest publicists in Europe and North America because of its predominant anthropological charm.” He continued, “its foreign publicists include other intellectuals and liberals who themselves are steeped in the ideology of social democracy.”
In one of his leading discourses titled African Socialism Revisited, Nkrumah places African socialism in its historical context. “Many African societies in different periods of history manifested a certain communalism … the philosophy and humanist purposes behind that organization are worthy of capture.”
To define African socialism therefore, Nkrumah insists that one should look not at the structure but at the spirit of traditional African society “… for the spirit of communalism is crystallized in its humanism and in its reconciliation of individual advancement with group welfare.”
Outside Influences on African Socialism
Though rooted on African historical and traditional values of egalitarianism, humanism and communalism, African socialism as a political force was largely shaped by outside influences. The rise of communism was one of these forces and many African socialist theorists borrowed from the teachings of Karl Marx, Frederich Engel and Vladimir Lenin. Many others like Nkrumah and Patrice Lumumba made regular visits to communist countries and established firm contacts with them.
The ultimate force that gave a definite shape to African socialism was the cold war. All communist giants involved in this fray – Russia, China, Cuba and North Korea, played significant roles in shaping the political regimes and economies of many newly independent African states. As a result, many African leaders professed one form of socialism or another. Nkrumah preached nkrumahism, Mobutu – mobutuism, Julius Nyere – Ujama, Kenneth Kaunda – humanism and Leopold Senghor – negritude.
African Socialism Today
To achieve African socialism, Nkrumah proposed a grand strategy – “the devising of policies aimed at the general socialist goals, each of which takes its peculiar form from the specific circumstances of a particular state at a definite historical period.” What has become of this dream since Nkrumah?
Any conclusion about the present state of African socialism depends on the angle from which one draws his analysis. This stance notwithstanding, as a politico-economic expression, African socialism is a dead force. Many contemporary African leaders while preaching socialism as an African virtue openly exercise state capitalism and political brutality. Nkrumah himself has not escaped the blame for initiating a disastrous precedence for Africa in the name of socialism – one party dictatorship.
China, Africa’s remaining inspiration for “socialism” has reverted to what The Washington Post’s China correspondent – Philip Pann calls a “predatory form of capitalism.” It is this capitalism that determines China’s relations with Africa today, not socialism or communism. African socialism survives only on the lips of African leaders.
See also: How China Lures Africa
China’s Military Presence in Africa
China’s Pains and Gains at the Olympic Games
Sources:
George, Ayittey. The End of African Socialism, 1990.
Nkrumah, Kwame. African Socialism Revisited, 1967.
Senghor, L. Sedar. African Socialim, 1964.
Pan, P. Philip. Out of Mao’s Shadow, 2008.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
