The Relationship of Socialism, Nationalism and Pan- Africanism in the Thinking of Nyerere and Nkrumah

Linlin Jiang

doi:10.54691/bcpssh.v14i.195

Abstract

Nyerere is the first-generation of African nationalist, while Nkrumah is a famous ideological theorist and politician in the history of Ghana. They all saw socialism as manifestation of communitarianism. Nyerere believes that socialism is a state of mind and elaborates on the relationship between nationalism and Pan-Africanism, putting forward that unity is more important than independence and that African countries should establish federalism before achieving national independence. While Nkrumah holds the view that African socialism is the reappearance of traditional spirit in a modern environment. Pan-African Movement is the expression of African nationalism, and his socialist thought is mainly embodied in the philosophy of conscience. Socialism is the defence of local autonomy, and the goal of socialism is the decolonization of Africa.

Highlights

Nyerere is the first-generation of African nationalist, while Nkrumah is a famous ideological theorist and politician in the history of Ghana
This essay will discuss the thoughts of socialism, nationalism and Pan-Africanism and their relations in Nyerere and Nkrumah respectively, and make a brief comparison and evaluation
The author considered Nyerere as a first-generation of African nationalist, who saw the tension between nationalism and Pan-Africanism, as well as the changes of Nyerere's thoughts in different periods.[1]

Summary

Introduction

Nyerere is the first-generation of African nationalist, while Nkrumah is a famous ideological theorist and politician in the history of Ghana. Nyerere expounded Tanzania's socialism in "From Uhuru to Ujamaa" He believed that Tanzania policies did not fully reflect socialism, the government and leaders knew the political goal and had achieved certain success in realizing socialism.[4] At the same time, Nyerere expressed his thoughts on the relationship between the establishment of African Unity and national independence in detail in “Freedom and Unity”. In his monograph “Africa Must Unite”, Nkrumah described the social background of Africa's colonial period, how African countries gained independence and the gradual development of the Pan- African Movement This primary historical source covered a wide range of time, from the colonial period to the period of African neocolonialism. The book was more of a straightforward account of events than Nkrumah's views on socialism, nationalism and Pan-Africanism

Nyerere’s Thinking

Nkrumah’s Thinking

Similarities and Differences