Changes in Political, Ideological and Administrative Systems
In 1960‟s many African states
started to achieve their political independence. Following this many of
the African countries changed their political, social and economic ideology for
the sake of attaining developments in their nations after colonialism.
The Factors/ Conditions which led to changes in Political,
Ideological and Administrative Systems after Independence
Explain the factors/ conditions which led to changes in
political, ideological and administrative systems after independence
Ideology
refers to the body of beliefs or principles belonging to an individual or group
which guides political and economic system in a given nation for example
socialist and capitalist ideology.
During
the struggle for independence many African states had developed multiparty
political system under capitalist ideology as a system to prepare them for
independence. For example in Tanganyika there were T.A.A and T.A.N.U while in
Uganda there were U.P.C. and K.Y.
Soon
after independence many African states as from 1960-1970‟s most of them started
change the political ideology from multiparty under capitalist
ideology to singe dominant party under socialist ideology.
Factors
for the change of political and economic ideology after independence
These
factors can be divided into two means internal and external factors
Internal
factors
Promotion
of unity and solidarity among the Africans, the changes of political party from
multiparty to single party system aimed at promoting unity and solidarity among
the Africans since they were dominated by single ideology for example in
K.A.N.U in Kenya, C.C.M. in Tanzania and U.P.C. in Uganda.
Avoidance
of political opposition from other parties, soon after independence most
African states expected to have peace and political stability for the national
development so they decided to adopt one party system in order to avoid
political opposition of other parties as they thought that having multiparty
system the national development could be threatened.
Avoidance
of civil wars among the Africans, since in multiparty system every party
struggle to dominate political power, something that cause political
instabilities for it was viewed as a tool to divide masses basing on their
ethnic origin that may result into civil conflicts. For example in Rwanda and
Burundi the Tutsi fought the Hutu in for the domination of political powers.
To
avoid the imperialist influence on local politics, since the multiparty system
emerged from imperialist nations thus most of African states after independence
decided to reject it turning to single party system as they thought that having
multiparty system could enable foreign influence into the local politics
through passing in other political opposition parties as some former colonial
power wanted to control their former colonies through opposition parties.
Promotion
of good governance, they aimed at promoting good governance with political
stability through checking out corruption and misallocation of public funds for
example in Tanzania and Malawi.
Generally
in the system of administration they aimed at eradicating the racial
discrimination by upholding African dignity in the system of administration. As
after independence Africans states changed their political ideology so as to
set up a new system of administration under their own direction and control
whereby every African would be treated equally with dignity under the single
party system
External
factors
The
role of USSR, the socialist bloc played a big role to the changes of political
ideology and administrative system in most of the African states. Since many
African countries adopted Marxist ideology that based on socialist ideology
resulted to the formation of single party system. For example the leader of
socialist bloc encouraged the formation of workers party.
Support
from socialist states, many African states that adopted socialism after
independence received moral and material support from socialist states like
China and Russia.
Bad
perception towards capitalist ideology, many of the independent African states
viewed capitalism as mode of production that is based on exploitation of the
recourses and masses thus they decided to adopt socialism as it was
discouraging exploitation
The Changes which Took Place after Independence
Analyse critically the changes which took place after
independence
Political
and administrative system took place in Africa after independence
Most
African independent states undergo changes in the political and administrative
system through adoption of the following government system
·
One party system, the post independence Africans allowed one
political party andavoided competing politics. The party in power dominated the
government and controlledthe state apparatus and other spheres of human activities
outside politics. But in 1990sone party system began to collapse especially
after the fall of USSR.
·
Multiparty system, after the collapse of one party system
African independent statesadopted multiparty system especially during 1990s
·
Military rule, independent Africans after few years adopted
military rule and they cameunder the control of military rule for example in
Egypt, Sudan and Uganda.
·
Parliamentary system,
·
Presidential system
·
Federal system of government
Political
ideological adopted after independence
African
countries adopted different political ideologies after independence. Some
countries adopted varieties of political ideologies including;
·
Liberal democracy, implying that they adopted capitalism example
of such countriesincluded Kenya, Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
·
Socialism, the countries that adopted socialism included
Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda andZambia.
·
Afro-Marxism, the countries adopted this ideology included
Somalia, Ethiopia under Mengistu, Mozambique and Angola among other countries.
The Strengths, Weaknesses and Contribution of Political,
Ideological and Administrative Changes in the Newly Independent African States
Assess critically the strengths, weaknesses and contribution of
political, ideological and administrative changes in the newly independent
African states
Political
strengths
Development
of African independent political system different from those of colonialists
inherited at independence. The political system developed was characterized by
democracy for example in Tanzania the socialist system of government enabled
her to involve more citizens in government, unlike during the colonial era for
African leaders now determined the fate of their own people‟s political features.
Opportunities
to cooperate and undertake various measures to advance the interests of the
continent this was due to the fact that African leaders were able to negotiate
with western nations more aggressively than during the colonial times when they
were treated as subjects. For example under the regional organizations in the
OAU they introduced several measures to uplift the welfare of their citizens.
Africans
were able to collaborate with other less developed countries especially in the
NonAligned Movements
Administrative
system
Eradication
of racial discrimination and uphold African dignity in the system of
administration through running their own government.
Ideology
Liberal
democracy through open competition for power between different political
parties , separation of power between the three pillars of government namely
the executive, the legislature and the judiciary
Pressure
groups and associations like trade unions are allowed to operate without
political harassment from the government.
Minimization
of the gap between the poor and the rich
Less
exploitation of workers by foreigners and the African merchants as the
government controlled provision of most basic services
Promotion
of national unity by minimizing conflicts based on ethnic, regional or
religious consideration as all people work hard.
Weaknesses
of political, ideological and administrative changes in the newly independent
African states
Civil
wars most African countries have experienced civil wars since independence for
example Ugandan civil war lasted from the late 1970s to 1986 when president
Yowel Kaguta Museveni took control of the country. Also in Rwanda in 1994
during the genocide which killed over 800,000 people. However currently several
civil wars are still being experienced in the DRC and Somalia.
Military
coups d‟état have
been experienced in many African countries including Nigeria, Sudan, Libya,
Ghana, Somalia, Ethiopia, Liberia, Mauritania and Guinea.
Ethnic
affiliation most African citizens in political appointment and voting during
general elections try to pick a person from their ethnic groups or religion as
a leader in the hope that such a leader would reciprocate by rewarding or
giving them favors, this led to bitterness between different communities, clans
and religion in Africa something that resulting to civil wars
Neo
colonialism through partnership with developed countries, for example former
colonial masters such as Britain and France continue to interfere in the
political affairs of African governments.
Services
provision such as education, health services and other services became a great
financial burden for governments.
Contribution
of political, ideological and administrative changes in the newly independent
African states
Nationalism
struggle African governments were able to assist fellow African countries to
acquire political independence from colonial masters. For example the efforts
had done by other African governments in South Africa and Namibia.
Training
of African citizens to undertake nation-building activities this changes
facilitated mobilization of African states to participate in national building
activities. For example the harambee spirit in Kenya was used to mobilize funds
to construct schools, health centers and other social facilities in order to
uplift the living standards of African citizens.
Opportunities
of African countries to participate more in the activities of regional,
continental and international bodies like the United Nations Organizations and
the NonAlignment Movements.
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