African Politics and Moral Vision

Political life without common ideals or a compelling vision of the future loses its vitality and descends into a predatory struggle—a danger all too often evident in postcolonial Africa. Yet in the era of liberation, a distinctly African political and philosophical ideal emerged, a hybrid philosophy of nationhood that drew on three distinct sources: Western ideals of democracy and the rule of law, a socialist vision of mutual aid and responsibility, and the vitality of African communitarian traditions. It was also a deeply religious vision, in ways seldom acknowledged even by its adherents. After review of recent developments in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, it is suggested that a distinctively African political and economic order may still be available as a guiding vision for African nations.