The concept of self reliance and its relevance to freedom in Africa

Abstract

Socialism has been a popular subject for socio-political philosophers for a long time, especially before the end of the Soviet era. In the 1960s, African nationalists treated it with so much passion. It gained currency for the reasons that it tried to safeguard freedom and development of the newly independent countries. It was taken within this context because it acted as an antithesis of capitalism, which was thought as an agent of neo imperialism. African socialism was differentiated from Marxism, in that, it was not derived from the western experience of class antagonisms. Instead, it was based on traditional African communalistic society; where wealth was shared through the principle of utilitarianism. Work was an important aspect of this system - the lazy did not find room to thrive in this system. However, those who were young, incapacitated or old were cared for. The principle of production and distribution was from “each according to his strength to each according to his needs.” This work continues to add to the ever-growing body of African socialism. It does not reinvent this concept; but studies it within a new philosophical perspective.