IR

Ekeh

Colonialism and the Two Publics in Africa: A Theoretical Statement by Peter P. Ekeh

Source Information

  • Author: Peter P. Ekeh

  • Published in: Comparative Studies in Society and History, Vol. 17, No. 1 (Jan., 1975), pp. 91-112

  • Published by: Cambridge University Press

  • Stable URL: JSTOR Link

  • Access Date: 31-08-2024

Main Thesis

  • Argument: The paper posits that the colonial experiences of Africa facilitated the emergence of two distinct public realms, leading to political complexities that differ from Western political frameworks.

  • Objective: To characterize the two publics and explain Africa's political features through this framework, with examples primarily drawn from Nigeria.

Two Distinct Publics in Africa

1. Characteristics of the Two Publics

  • Primordial Public:

    • Comprised of primordial groupings and sentiments, this public identity is deeply connected to moral imperatives similar to those found in the private realm.

    • Operates on moral grounds and influences individuals' public behavior.

  • Civic Public:

    • Associated with colonial administrative structures and characterized by a disconnection from private realm moralities.

    • Lacks generalized moral imperatives, therefore, it is described as amoral.

  • Operational Dynamics:

    • Political actors navigate both publics, and their dialectical relationship gives rise to unique African political issues.

2. Theoretical Approaches

  • Politico-Historical Approach:

    • Investigates how this political configuration emerged in Africa.

  • Sociological Approach:

    • Explores how the operation of these publics affects overall African politics.

Colonial Legacy and Its Political Implications

1. Colonial Experience's Role

  • Impact of Colonialism: Pre-colonial political structures significantly influenced how traditional polities responded to colonial dynamics.

  • Influencing Groups:

    • Colonial Administrators: Often from the European bourgeoisie.

    • African Bourgeois Class: This emerging group arose from the colonial experience, heavily influenced by colonial ideologies of governance.

2. Ideologies of Legitimation

  • Definition of Ideologies:

    • Refers to interest-begotten theories constructed to validate the governance of certain elite classes while distorting social truths.

  • Colonial Ideologies: Designed to justify colonial rule and minimize the European impact on Africa’s historical significance.

    • Examples of Colonial Ideologies:

    • Perception of Africans' historical backwardness.

    • Downplaying African contributions to society.

    • Emphasizing inter-tribal conflicts to reinforce colonial narratives.

    • Claims that colonization brought numerous benefits, often contrasting this with the hidden costs and damages resulted from colonial practices.

3. Emergence and Characteristics of African Bourgeois Ideologies

  • African Bourgeois Ideologies of Legitimation:

    • Developed to facilitate the legitimacy of the African bourgeois class after colonialism.

    • Anti-colonial Ideologies:

    • Designed to replace colonial rulers while still rooted in the pursuit of Western ideals.

    • Post-colonial Ideologies:

    • Created to help the African bourgeois maintain power and legitimacy among their own populace.

Dynamics of Citizenship in Africa

1. Concept of Citizenship

  • Citizenship encompasses rights and duties; however, the emphasis varies between the primordial and civic publics.

    • Primordial Public Citizenship:

    • Citizens are obligated to benefit and uphold their communal morals and practices, driven by informal social sanctions.

    • Civic Public Citizenship:

    • Characterized by a focus on rights rather than responsibilities.

2. Dialectics of the Two Publics

  • Conflict and Coexistence:

    • The tension between the primordial and civic publics generates distinct political challenges, including tribalism, corruption, and the role of voluntary associations.

  • Tribalism:

    • Financed by struggles over civic resources, tribalism acts as a manifestation of the emerging tensions between modern political expectations and traditional affiliations.

  • Corruption:

    • Arises from the amorality of the civic public, manifesting in behaviors that prioritize personal gain over communal responsibility.

  • Voluntary Associations:

    • They serve as expressions of the primordial public in urban centers, competing with the civic public for influence and resources.

Conclusion

  • Understanding Modern African Politics:

    • The colonial legacy shapes contemporary political dynamics and citizenship in Africa, necessitating recognition of the intertwined and conflicting roles of the two publics.

  • Importance of Morality in Politics:

    • A politics devoid of morality, heavily observed in the civic public, leads to destructive outcomes for the society at large.

References

  • (Mentioned sources include works by Ekeh, Hobson, Arendt, Geertz, and Wraith, etc.)