Contemporary African Social and Political Philosophy ― Trends, Debates and Challenges

This book explores what constitutes contemporary African social and political philosophy with regard to its meaning, aims, sources, and relevance for today’s Africa. Kasanda denounces conventional approaches considering this philosophy either as a sub-category of general philosophy, or as an ideological attempt of individual African leaders and professional philosophers, such as Nkrumah, Nyerere, Senghor, Fanon, Hountondji and Towa. On the contrary, the Kasanda defines contemporary African social and political philosophy as an inclusive reflection of African communities with regard to power, equitable modes of social and political organization in order to promote human excellence for everyone. This reflection also includes the criticism of social and political concepts in use within African communities.

The author postulates that contemporary African social and political philosophy relies on the legacy of pre-colonial African societies, as well as on the contribution of the diaspora throughout the world. Contemporary African social and political philosophy is rooted in African people’s daily life, and it expresses itself through multiple modalities including, for example, art, religion, literature, music and the policy of urbanization of African cities.

This book sheds new light on debates concerning topics such as ethnophilosophy, negritude, Pan-Africanism, democracy, African civil society, African cultures and globalization. It aims to warding off the lethargy that strikes African social and political philosophy through a renewed and critical approach.

Albert Kasanda is a Researcher in African social and political philosophy at the Centre for Global Studies, Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic.