A Critique of the Socialist Theories of Nkrumah, Nyerere and Awolowo

This book investigates the socialist theories of Nkrumah, Nyerere and Awolowo. The investigation is intended to draw attention to their contributions to the social and political development of Africa as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their theories. These theories anticipate certain presuppositions which we call antecedents of socialism in Africa.These include culture/communalism, colonialism, struggles for independence and revolution/democracy. Some of the issues which characterize Nkrumah’s theory are the relationship between idealism and oligarchy, materialism and egalitarianism; socialist transformation of Africa; the distinction between African socialism and socialism in Africa; scientific socialism in Africa.The book considers Nyerere’s conception of socialism as the application of the principle of human equality,an attitude of mind, an institution and brotherhood. Awolowo’s theory involves primary aims and objectives of a state; merits and demerits of capitalism; aims of democratic socialism;features of democratic socialism;and means of democratic socialism. Students, researchers, teachers, politicians, and the general public will find the book useful.