African Socialism in Two Countries

With the departure of the colonial powers from Africa in the nineteen sixties, nation building became the responsibility of the new African leaders. In this context ideology was crucial and the ideology of "socialism" particularly attractive. This study looks at the implementation and experience of "African socialism" in Kenya and Tanzania. It examines the intellectual roots of Nyerere's notions of African socialism and Kenyatta's, and then compares the practical policies which the two leaders used to implement their ideology. A unique comparative textual analysis of the ideology and policies of the two countries is adopted throughout the book, as it is argued that this is the only way in which the political purpose of African socialism can be properly understood.