The Place of Aristotelianism in Africa’s Political Development: A Critical Evaluation

Abstract

Aristotle is one man who has contributed immeasurably in various areas of life and in history of ideas. His efforts cannot be underestimated in Africa’s political development. His political thesis can go a long way to make possible the full realization of the dreams and aspirations of the African continental body. African Union (AU), formerly called Organization of African Unity (OAU). The nitty-gritty of his thesis can as well help African leaders to embrace their cultural heritage, bearing in mind that failure to do so will automatically pave way for eternal condemnation and abdication of their cultural values. A critical method of evaluation was employed in this paper, to holistically ascertain the place of Aristotelianism in Africa’s political development, and to show the shortcomings and inconsistencies of Aristotle’s political thesis. In this paper, we shall attempt to discourage Aristotle’s capitalist mentality, bifurcatory and dichotomized mindset, which he demonstrated on women, slaves and war. We shall argue for the enthronement of mutual understanding, interdependence and interrelatedness that ought to exist between men and women in the states. This paper canvases for equity and fairness, equality and justice, enhancement and realization of political stability in the states. The position of this work, therefore, is that Aristotle’s political philosophy, in spite of its weaknesses, can architecturally, redesign the political thoughts of the African leaders, and assist in cultural coalition than the parochial tribe and self aggrandized national interest that Africa has been facing for a quite number of decades now.

Keywords: Aristotelianism, African Politics, Political Development, Human Nature, Theory of the State.