African Political Thought: An Intellectual History of the Quest for Freedom

The book "African Political Thought: A History" by Stephen Chan explores the long history of African political thought, from slavery to nationalism and the challenges of governing new states. It highlights the ideas of major figures such as Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah, Biko, Mandela, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and examines their leadership in relation to their ideas and those of literary giants like Fanon, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiongo. Chan critically examines his thinkers, including Mugabe and Mobutu, and expresses concern for the future of Pan-Africanism. The book reveals a thoughtful continent that has made significant contributions to the world's intellectual commons but continues to seek freedom.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

African liberation is frequently perceived as a heroic endeavor, yet it is rarely acknowledged in terms of intellectual contemplation. Even the renowned philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, in his preface to Frantz Fanon's seminal work The Wretched of the Earth, depicted the "native with his coiled muscles about to explode into rebellion." The African and the black individual are denied the privilege of philosophical inquiry, seemingly driven solely by frustration and anger. In his groundbreaking new book, Stephen Chan traces the long history of African political thought, spanning from the era of North American slavery to the emergence of modern African nationalism, the challenges of governing new states, and the contemporary political philosophy of Africa. Chan delves extensively into the lives and ideas of prominent figures from Marcus Garvey and Kwame Nkrumah's postcolonial generation to Biko, Mandela, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He demonstrates how their leadership is intricately linked to their intellectual pursuits, as well as those of literary giants such as Fanon, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiongo. This is not a hagiographic portrayal; Chan critically examines his thinkers, including Mugabe and Mobutu, while expressing concerns for the future of Pan-Africanism. Nevertheless, his captivating account unveils a thoughtful continent that has made profound and significant contributions to the global intellectual commons, yet continues to yearn for freedom.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 141 x 214 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787385504