Post-colonialism: Theoretical foundations and relevance to African politics

Abstract

From social to economic and political thought, there is abundant evidence to suggest that even in the postcolonial moment, Africa is still saddled with the perpetuation of the colonial phenomenon, with obvious implications for contemporary political thought and practice. This chapter undertakes a systematic critique of “post-colonialism,” its historical evolution, specific deployments, theoretical foundations and relevance to contemporary African politics. It does this through a range of questions. Has Africa really gone beyond the colonial into the postcolonial? Is post-colonialism an act or process of passing, a movement from one point to another? Or is it the repetition or regeneration of something through other means? Is Africa actually caught between a postcolonial and neocolonial moment? Or are we presently experiencing multiple post-colonialism(s)? These questions are asked against the backdrop of Africa’s uncertain and unpredictable post-colonial democratic experiment.