Justice in the state: the case of Nyerere's philosophy of ujamaa

Abstract

This work puts forth ideas of a leading and arguably one of the most famous of African ideologue, Julius K. Nyerere, concerning the foundation of a State based on principles of justice.The research begins with an examination and analysis of justice which provides a background to the understanding of the concept. The conclusion here is that justice is a scaler and yet a universal concept with an irreducible defining characteristic whose application is particular. This examination and analysis makes it possible for one to delineate particular concrete instances that would all fit in this general conceptualization of justice. This, it is concluded are the principles upon which just actions are founded.Justice is a social concept but to actualize the best social conditions there is a need for the political to provide a rationalization, direction and authority to the social. This inevitably leads to ideas that try to put forward sets and precepts within which political life is possible, hence, the ideology of socialism, its conception of man and its general philosophy. The general conclusion here is that, man is basically a social being and if that be the case, then, any political organization is necessarily and essentially socialist.This is derived from the moral case put forth to justify this political doctrine.Socialism operates on the premise that all men are equal and are endowed with some inalienable rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The moral justification for socialism is therefore its in-built theory of justice. It is a universal doctrine which looks at man as a rational being who through his own efforts achieves development. Thus, socialism derives its moral worth from the fact that, it looks at man as a purely moral agent.Although socialism is universal doctrine, local factors playa role in its development. Hence the search for socialism in Africa took mainly an existentialist dimension. The African sought to define himself in relation to the other races of the world. Given that discourses already existed pertaining to socialism in Africa (though not explicitly stated), it was not difficult for Africa to go socialist. Thus given all the choices available to Africa and Africans at independence, socialism was the only rational path.This for Nyerere was best brought out if the eventual society was based on the African theory and practice of extended family - Ujamaa, hence the political philosophy of ujamaa. This was a philosophy of human liberation(hence socialist) and was founded on the tenets of justice; that no man exploits another and that production and consumption be socialized from each according to his ability to each according to his needs. Together with democracy then, Nyerere set the stage for the construction of a model State based on principles of Justice.