Critical Evaluation of African Socialism, with Regards to Ujamaa Policies
In 1960s when African states gain independence, many leaders felt that they can not celebrate their victory if they continue using the economic-political system that has been established by colonizers such as capitalism. They perceived capitalism as the bearer of social inequalities, and ignorance that exists within societies. They wanted a unique economic and political system with no resemblance of outside influence. African Socialism was then a unique political ideology and identity of Africa. Julius Nyerere was one of the leading proponents of African socialism “African traditional way of life” (Hyden, 1980: 200). African socialism as an ideology has its own successes and also its own criticism. Therefore, this essay will critically evaluate African socialism with the reference to Ujamaa policies of Tanzania. Tanzania for many years after 1967 has been referred to as a socialist country due to its commitment to socialist ideology and has put African socialism into practice. African socialism was very good ideology for development in theory. Thus, in practice it failed to deliver its objectives because of mismanagement associated with the lack of proper planning, lack of understanding and acceptance of some policies of African socialism, bureaucracy created contradictions, problems and poverty, inequality, non democratic, dependency increased.
African socialism is the ideology with the belief of sharing economic resources in African traditional way. African socialism can be considered as the response to the colonization. This means that African socialism was the condemnation to colonialism and embracement of African traditional life with the basis of extended family. Main features of African socialism were to sustain political democracy and mutual responsibility to end poverty, inequalities, create a classless, egalitarian and self-relied, united and developed society and unity. African leaders believed that traditional political democracy will eliminates the
African socialism is the ideology with the belief of sharing economic resources in African traditional way. African socialism can be considered as the response to the colonization. This means that African socialism was the condemnation to colonialism and embracement of African traditional life with the basis of extended family. Main features of African socialism were to sustain political democracy and mutual responsibility to end poverty, inequalities, create a classless, egalitarian and self-relied, united and developed society and unity. African leaders believed that traditional political democracy will eliminates the