IN SEARCH OF STATEHOOD: AN APPRAISAL OF HUMANISM IN KENNETH KAUNDA’S THOUGHT

SOURCE:

Faculty: Arts
Department: Philosophy

CONTRIBUTORS:

Utobo E. Emeka
Ogugua I. Paul

ABSTRACT:

Though the root of the difficulty in modern Africa’s transition to statehood is found in colonialism, its present manifestation rests squarely on the basic misunderstanding of the concept by the African. This misunderstanding has given rise to race consciousness, group antagonism and conflict; these throw up the question of patriotism and of creating unity out of the different tribal groups the colonialists had hastily brought together in the name of the state in African continent. In Northern Rhodesia, Kaunda introduced the idea of humanism as the basis of nationalists’ activities against colonialism, and to aid national integration, hence leading into a modern Zambian state. Theoretically, the ideology advocated the emancipation of the African, but in practice, it evolved into fascist autocracy, hence failed to realize the welfare of the African. Kaunda understands state powers as strong collectivist rulership, and believes that only this could unite various tribal groups into a state, hence, elicit national consciousness thereof. However, sectional elitism which intensified racial antagonism, partisan protests and clashes, that caused the demise of Kaunda’s one-party democratic ideal, raises questions not just about the operation of the state in Africa, but, also democracy, which she had embraced since independence. To attend to these inherent questions, therefore, the study adopts hermeneutic method. This takes a phenomenological outlook taking cognizance of the existentialist position of Kaunda’s ideology, and the crisis-laden political condition on the continent, a survey of which is made to lay bare the basis of tribal conflict in contemporary Africa, and why the difficulty in individual’s identification with the state institution; nay, initiate viable resolution to the crisis of national consciousness on the continent. Proper grasp and implementation of democratic principles is key to national integration and state identification, in as much as its misrepresentation tends towards collectivism, and, possibly, anarchism in state relationship.