African Political Philosophy...***the dilemma***...

Shemsi en Tehuti · (#1 (**permalink**))

Classical governing and political philosophy in Africa seems to have always had an element of tribalism. Even when classical African civilizations rose to be great empires, the political philosophy remained tribal to ensure probably the most pure democracies the world has ever witnessed. This seems to indicate why the empires of Kemet, Kush/Absynnia, and those of West and southern Africa were able to sustain such a long and rich history. There was royalty that centralized the political/government systems in Africa; however, kingdoms usually consisted of several independent chiefdoms who elected the leaders. This tribal nature within a kingdom demonstrated the African form of democracy which ensured inalienable rights to all of its citizens, no matter the political currents.

However, this form of government has come with a price that we can easily see in our history. When these empires became divided within itself, they fell. Since each individual chiefdom is independent, it can choose to pursue interest at the detriment of the rest of the nation/empire. We have found this to be the case with West African empires, the Mossi, Kemet, Kush, and others. It seems unfathomable for the states of California, Arizona, and Texas to secede from the American union if they don't agree with the taxes levied (or whatever political issue), but this is somewhat the type of autonomy African factions within an empire could exercise.

When analyzing the Indo-European/Asiatic political philosophy, it seems ideal for establishing or seizing power. However, it always defeats itself through its own greed and aggression. On the other hand, African political philosophy is ideal for sustaining free nations as long as it does not become too divided against itself. That is the key...if we don't become too divided. Europeans, with their many divisions, were able to establish solidarity to divide, conquer, and exploit Africa, where even today, our people are still divided and seemingly powerless on the continent.

We are controlled by the same means that we were conquered. One might say that we just need to be like Europeans/Asiatics/Semitics to establish our own power. I would say that is a mistake, for we would only rise and fall like other White, Asiatic, and some foolish African states have already. Furthermore, Western democracy is not real, so we would also be exploiting our own people in the process. However, if we keep doing what we have been doing, then we will keep getting what we already have. So what is the answer? Is classical African political philosophy intrinsically inferior to the Indo-European/Asiatic model?

How do we mitigate this dilemma in political philosophy to empower the African while preserving our collective ideals?

Shemsi en Tehuti · (#2 (**permalink**))

I guess political philosophy is uninteresting to most...

East_African · (#3 (**permalink**))

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. So what is the answer? Is classical African political philosophy intrinsically inferior to the Indo-European/Asiatic model?

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No i dont think so infact it is possible that democracy as we know it could have originated in east africa. The oromo gadda system of government is one of the most ancient democratic types of government in the world.

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Early in history, the Oromo developed an indigenous democratic system similar to the Grecian Polls called Gada in which elected officials including the Abba Gada(President), the Abba Dula (Commander of the Army), the Abba Hori (Chief of the Treasury), and nine Hayyuus (Judges) assumed public office for non-renewable 8 year terms. With universal male training in warfare including equestrian skills, archery and the martial arts.Oromo have a very rich culture, fostered by the size of the population and large land areas with diverse climatic conditions. One highly developed self-sufficient system which has influenced every aspect of Oromo life is the Gadaa system. It is a system that organizes the Oromo society into groups or sets (about 7-11 ) that assume different responsibilities in the society every eight years. It has guided the religious, social, political and economic life of Oromo for many years, and also their philosophy, art, history and method of time-keeping.

The activities and life of each and every member of the society are guided by Gadaa. It is the law of the society, a system by which Oromo administer, defend their territory and rights, maintain and guard their economy and through which all their aspirations are fulfilled.

The Gadaa system has served as the basis of democratic and egalitarian political system. Under it the power to administer the affairs of the nation and the power to make laws belong to the people. Every male member of the society who is of age and of Gadaa grade has full rights to elect and to be elected. All the people have the right to air their views in any public gathering without fear.

Although it is not known with any degree of certainty where and when the Gadaa system started, it is known and documented that the Oromo have been practising it for well over 500 years. However, according to oral Oromo historians, the Gadaa system has been in practice for several centuries. "Their (Borana Oromo) noted historian, Arero Rammata, was able to recount, in 1969, an oral history covering four thousand years", (Prouty et al, 1981). Today Gadaa experts easily recall fifty-seven Abbaa Gadaas with important events. Of course, this highly sophisticated system cannot have appeared without having been based on something earlier. Therefore further study and analysis is required to know more about its origin and development.

Social scientists of diverse backgrounds at different times have studied the Gadaa system. Many of them have testified that it is uniquely democratic. Among those authorities, Plowden (1868), stated, "among republican systems, Gadaa is superior". Asmarom Legesse (1973) described the Gadaa system: "one of the most astonishing and instructive turns the evolution of human society has taken". Indeed it is one of the most fascinating sociopolitical structure of Africa that even influenced the lives of other peoples.

http://www.gumii.org/gada/understd.html

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Mezmerized · (#4 (**permalink**))

Thoth B3 wrote:

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I guess political philosophy is uninteresting to most...

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Just saw this now....be back soon

Black Lion · (#5 (**permalink**))

Yjntrfgjhnyrfghnj = My computer is messed up. Had a post but, yeah its gone.

Toloane · (#6 (**permalink**))

Tehuti wrote: When analyzing the Indo-European/Asiatic political philosophy, it seems ideal for establishing or seizing power. However, it always defeats itself through its own greed and aggression. On the other hand, African political philosophy is ideal for sustaining free nations as long as it does not become too divided against itself. That is the key...if we don't become too divided. Europeans, with their many divisions, were able to establish solidarity to divide, conquer, and exploit Africa, where even today, our people are still divided and seemingly powerless on the continent.

IMO, the failure of African Kingdoms is in no way related to the political phylosophy, but to the winds of change. succession disputes and external developments exerted the most influence on the fate of these kingdoms and empires, not the political philosophy.

there is also something of a consideration of the grand design of things in this manner of organizing, a more mature, holisticmethod of leadership, as it would not make any sense to keep people locked up in a territory when they feel they ought to be free, or they could be better off separate.

Europeans managed to unite disparate peoples and cultures and fight one cause, which they are still doing today, because they took advantage of hidden fears within the human psyche, which they are still doing today. this requires but knowledge of how to control people using hidden switches that ellicit certain responses when pulled.it's irresponsible playing with people's minds, an irresponsibility that can be observed with this culture's attitude towards even the very air we breathe, and the results of such manipulation can be catastrophic.

the African method of keeping disparate nations in one whole has more or less been adopted by Europeans too. if you look at Germany, you see it comprises a federation of Germanic tribes, each unique and quite autonomous. the same is true of American states.

going back in time, you find that this kind of political phylosophy is alien to Europeans whose old empires and kingdoms were based on tribes and tribal domination. Europeans have realized the African model works, and it is always possible to twist the rules slightly in order to ensure there are nodivisive decisions when reason ails. ifeveryone is made aware it is intheir best interests to live as one in response to the times, to unite for mutual benefit, then it is wise to make it impossible to separate from the whole, just as long as the crisis lasts, after which you gradually move the way of our ancestors.

the present state of the African continent is a direct result of the loss of not so much the African political phylosophy, but faith in it, especially in those we trust to lead us, which has taken away the need to find our way back to the system that makes us better people. I call the political map of Africa "scarface" asthe lines made by the colonizersconjures in my mind the attacks endured by the continent that marred itsappearence, that are nowthe scarsreminiscent ofthe brutal attack.

most of the problems we have today will be washed away when we return to the superior ways of our ancestors, when we start to organize as they did,on a continental level.