Problems of Socialist Orientation in Africa

Abstract

PREFACESince 1963, the Scandinavian Institute of African Studies has organized a variety of international seminars. As a part of its function as a Scandinavian documentation and research centre on African problems, the Institute has sought to choose topics for these international seminars that \vould be of interest to academics as~lell as to planners, administrators and politicians. These topics have included refugee problems, boundary problems, problems of adult education, the role of mass media, co-operative development in East Africa and problems of land-locked countries in Africa. Scholars from abroad -primarily, of course, from Africa -have been invited to discuss their particular topics with Scandinavian specialists and other interested persons.Another of our principle tasks over the years has been to promote and sustain the interest in African affairs among Scandinavians. Seminars comprise one way of doing so at an academic level. During these seminars, however, we have also attempted to offer "another point of view" on a variety of topics. The profile, strength and vigour of our institute depends, therefore, to a great extent on our being able to call upon a large number of Scandinavian Scholars with backgrounds and views wide ly differing from those held in other African studies establishments, in our discussions with experts from Africa and abroad. This years topic was chosen for several reasons, but the main reason was the general inaccesibility in the west of a collection of papers on a subject matter which has been extensively discussed in eastern Europa over the last decade. INTRODUCTIONIn a famous speech, "The rationaI choice", early in 1973, PresidentNyerere of Tanzania, put forward his thesis that socialism was the only rationaI choice of economic and social system for the Third World countries characterised as they are by poverty and national weakness."In fact", he said, "Third World capitaIism ''1ould have no choice except to co-operate with external capitaIism, as a very junior partner". Socialism has meant many things in Africa. Ten years ago JuliusNyerere defined socialism as "an attitude of mind" in line with the various individual interpretations of a rather mystical "African socialism". The realities themselves have forced the discussion down from the philosophical clouds to the hard and concrete realities.At the time when a great number of African states gained their political independence there were great expectations for a fast economic growth and social development. The "undeveloped" nations were to reach their "take-off" into industrialised society with the aid of Western development assistance, know-how, and investment capital. In fact, most African countries have followed the advice of the various Western advisors, but problems of economic and social development have remained unsolved. Instead of constructing their own economy they have become even more dependent on export markets, the investment and price policies of the multinational companies, and on foreign grants and loans. ...