Africa is a vast, diverse and complex continent made up of 55 countries. From Colonial times, the continent has been continuously experiencing changing patterns of politics and society. The objective of this course is to offer a broad-based understanding of how African political thought and politic...
B.C: African Politics and Society: A Mosaic in Transformation (CHAPTER 1:
Understanding African Politics and Society)
Areas to be covered
- Historical context
- Cultural diversity
o Africa continent encompasses a rich mosaic of people, cultures,
ecological settings and people’s experiences
o The political map of Africa captures the complexity that is the essence of
the continent
o Ethiopia and Egypt are among the oldest political entities known to
human history
- Influential impact of the international system
Marginalization and globalization of Africa in the international system
o Colonial period
o Decolonization and the Cold War
o Africa-North Relations (Dependency theory)
o Globalization
- A continent in transformation: one of the world’s fastest growing economies
African Profile
- 54 countries
- Over 200 languages
- Demographics
, How important is Africa to the world?
- Cradle of Mankind
- Natural resources
- Demographics
- Globalization
- Regional and Global Security
SESSION 2.
COLONIZATION AND COLONIAL LEGACY
- Application of European nation-State system to Africa
- Incorporation of several African nations into one State
- Destruction of African culture and institutions
- Authoritarian political legacy
- Socio-economic impacts of colonization
B.C: African Politics and Society: A Mosaic in Transformation (CHAPTER 3: Political
and Economic Impacts of Colonization 1884-1951)
B.C: Colonization and its impact in Africa
Key areas:
- Application of European nation-state system
- Incorporation of several African nations into one state
- Destruction of African culture and institutions
- Authoritarian political legacy
- Socio-economic impacts of colonization
, Colonization: to conquer a county and impose supremacy on the conquered territory
Pre-colonial Africa
Was made of kingdoms (Ancient Egyptians civilization) and chiefdoms (the most
capable person assumed the power)
Ethiopia was not colonized and had effective leadership (rock churches of Ethiopia)
Colonization of Africa
By assimilation or proxy
From 1870-1900: using violence, military aggression and diplomatic pressure many
African states were colonized
Historical background:
- David Livingstone arrived in Africa. His journey lasted from 1851 to 1873.
- Henry Morton Stanley was the first explorer to arrive in Africa. He wrote a book
telling his impressions and experiences called “Through the dark continent” inspired
King Leopold II of Belgium (who wanted the Congo)
- The Berlin conference 1884-1885: partition of Africa. Africa was divided into
European countries (British: controlled the Suez Canal, French, German, Portuguese,
Italian, Belgian, Spanish, independent)
Cause of colonization
• Economic: raw materials and cheap labour
• Political: imperialism led to nationalism (pride in having a large empire)
• Religious: spread religion and European civilization
Resistance to colonization:
• Samori Touré fought French West Africa for 16 years
• Algeria resisted French rule for almost 50 years
• Ethiopia under Menelik II resisted Italian conquest
Effects of colonization:
• Creation of African States (government, borders, population, recognition)
• Arbitrary borders
• Dependency
• Erosion of existing leadership structures
• Erosion of cultures
• Loss of lives of Africans
• Building infrastructures
• Destruction of belief in Africa
, Independence and Post-Colonial Political Regimes
Independence of each nation
Political regimes 1985 (most of Africa was ruled by dictatorship (autocracy) except
Botswana and South Africa) vs. 2015 (divided into democratic, open anocracy and
closed anocracy countries) Nelson Mandela boosted democracy in 1994
Discussion question: How has colonization impacted political institution in Africa?
Stopped typical business
SESSION 2:Colonisation and colonial legacy
Colonisation: To conquer a country and impose supremacy on the conquered territory.
Colonization of Africa:
From 1870- 1900
Using violence, military aggression and diplomatic pressure many African states were
colonized
Historical Background:
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