East African Marxism-Leninism, Pan Africanism, Imperialism and the Dar es Salaam Debates with Zeyad El Nabolsy
Mar 11, 2024
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Zeyad El Nabolsy, an Assistant Professor at York University specializing in African philosophy, delves into the intricate connections between Marxism-Leninism and anti-colonial struggles in East Africa. He discusses the influential roles of figures like Abdul Rahman Mohamed Babu and the historical significance of the Dar es Salaam Debates. The conversation also addresses the complexities of neocolonialism, local adaptations of Marxism, and the revolutionary potential of the peasantry, all while emphasizing the need for open-access research in the academic community.
The podcast emphasizes the contributions of Abdulrahman Mohamed Babu and Dani Wadada Nabudere to understanding East African Marxism-Leninism amidst anti-colonial struggles.
Nabuderi's critique of African nationalism highlights the importance of class struggle and challenges the notion of an inherently progressive national bourgeoisie.
The conversation calls for a nuanced assessment of revolutionary potential in post-colonial Africa, recognizing the complex roles of peasants and workers in revolutionary movements.
Deep dives
Exploring East African Marxism-Leninism
The discussion delves into the significance of Marxism-Leninism within the East African context, highlighting key figures such as Danny Wadada Nabuderi and Abdulrahman Muhammad Babu. Both intellectuals made substantial contributions to the understanding of political dynamics in East Africa, particularly during periods of anti-colonial struggle and the post-independence era. Babu, notable for his engagement in the Zanzibari Revolution, emphasized the need for development beyond mere political independence, advocating for a transformation of the economic structures inherited from colonial powers. In contrast, Nabuderi's work sought to redefine imperialism's implications for African states, arguing that the economic realities necessitate a thorough engagement with Lenin's theories adapted to modern circumstances.
Critique of Nationalism and Imperialism
Nabuderi's critique extends beyond traditional interpretations of imperialism, challenging the notion that African nationalism can exist independently of class struggle. He contends that national liberation movements often struggle with internal class divides and tensions, complicating their ability to champion a unified front against colonial power. By analyzing the role of the bourgeoisie and the petty bourgeoisie in post-colonial societies, Nabuderi argues against a simplistic understanding of the national bourgeoisie as inherently progressive, suggesting instead that loyalties often shift depending on their material interests. This insight reveals the challenges faced by African nations in navigating their independence while under the lingering influence of foreign capital.
African Socialism vs. Marxism
The podcast also examines the distinction between African socialism as proposed by figures like Julius Nyerere and traditional Marxist theory. Nyerere's African socialism posits that communal farming practices offer a natural path to socialism without the transitional capitalist stage, a view that critics like Nabuderi and Babu argue is overly romanticized and historically unsubstantiated. They contend that the existence of social stratification contradicts the notion of a classless society and call for a more nuanced understanding that incorporates Marxist principles regarding class struggle and economic transformation. This critique highlights the importance of rigorous analysis when applying Marxism to African contexts, advocating for frameworks that recognize both indigenous practices and the realities of global capitalism.
Role of the Peasantry and Workers
A significant point of discussion involves the roles of peasants and workers in revolutionary movements, with the podcast pointing out that despite their numerical dominance, the peasantry may not inherently act as a revolutionary force. It is argued that while workers, concentrated in urban areas and industries, possess the potential to mobilize through strikes and collective action, peasants often seek stability and security within existing structures rather than radical change. This divergence complicates the revolutionary strategy and emphasizes the need for intellectual and political leadership to channel peasant discontent into transformative action. By examining this dynamic, the podcast illuminates the challenges and potential pathways for collective mobilization in post-colonial Africa.
Revisiting Fanon and Other Marxist Thinkers
The podcast critiques the overemphasis on Frantz Fanon as a singular representation of African anti-colonial thought, suggesting that this portrayal often obscures the broader landscape of Marxist discourse in Africa. While Fanon's contributions are acknowledged, many scholars posit that his ideas can sometimes misinterpret the complex realities of class struggle and revolutionary potential among the peasantry. The discussion advocates for incorporating insights from lesser-known figures who engaged deeply with Marxist theory in their critiques of colonialism and neocolonialism. This nuanced understanding provides a richer tapestry of discourse that acknowledges various perspectives and debates within African Marxism.
Zeyad El Nabolsy is an Assistant Professor at York University, he has written extensively on African philosophy, and we hope to have many more conversations with him in the future. I will note as a caveat again that this is one of the conversations that we recorded prior to October 7th so if it feels like Palestine, or the Congo or Haiti or Sudan or even more discussion on Fanon might be meaningful for us to engage with in this discussion given recent events, there is a reason that we do not and that the context that we do discuss in passing are the anticolonial coup d’etats in West Africa.
Zeyad has done some interesting work on Edward Said and some work on western philosophy and Islam so hopefully we can have another conversation with him soon that is able to weave together some more current events with his historical and philosophical research interests. Nonetheless, this is a very interesting discussion and highlights some East African Marxists that we should be more familiar with given the importance of their thought and their political formulations, but who are often not well known outside of circles who are more knowledgeable about African Marxism or African Marxism-Leninism.
In this discussion we do talk about East African-Marxism Leninism, Pan Africanism, African Socialism, and the famous Dar Es Salaam Debates. We also talk about Dani Nabudere’s work on imperialism, taking Lenin’s theory of imperialism and updating and applying it to the African context. There’s much more to say, but we’ll leave for the conversation itself.
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Aidan Elias and Jared Ware co-produced this episode.
