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African Anarchism: The History of a Movement
The first book ever written on this subject, African Anarchism traces the origins and development of anarchism in Africa. After dealing with questions such as what anarchism is and isn't, this groundbreaking book covers the topics of anarchism and African traditional societies, the influence of anarchism on African national liberation struggles, the relationship of anarchism to African marxist movements, "Africa's angry young generation", "The 'New World Order' and Africa" whether or not there is a specifically African form of anarchism, drawbacks to anarchism in Africa, and the possible influence of anarchism on Africa's future development.
108 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 20, 2014
UPDATE: Rest in Power, Sam Mbah. Read this book free online here.
Mostly a snappy (100-page) critique of state socialism & neoliberal capitalism in Africa from an anarchist perspective, and a biting red anarchist colonial history. Refreshing for that anarchist perspective on socialist states-- against authoritarianism, centralization, militarization, and state violence but not against socialism itself-- but the book was not the call-to-arms nor "history of a movement" that I was hoping for.
I loved how Mbah and Igariwey addressed the failure of Nyerere's socialism in Tanzania, laying the blame not in the collectives but in their centralized control ("The Ujamaa model failed because it degenerated into state control over the peasants" p. 77), and of course, neocolonial debt & structural adjustment. I attribute a pretty big part of my formative radicalization to what I have read by Nyerere but I've also done research with frustrated members of former farmers cooperatives in several parts of Tanzania, so I appreciated reading a critique of the country's failed socialist experiment that took the movement seriously but did not romanticize it either, easy to do if you're at all sympathetic given how crucially fucked the country was by the IMF.
Most other case studies were under-elaborated, including those about pre-colonial anarchist elements in different African cultures. More work needs to be done, and much less generalizing across a continent. Curious now about David Graeber's dissertation work in Madagascar.
Some lessons:
1) There can be no development in Africa that does not raise the productivity and income of peasants, skilled and nonskilled workers, who form about 90% of the economically productive population of sub-Saharan Africa. Any development policy that aims at meaningful change must touch the lives of the poor directly. [yes!]
2) The reliance on state power over workers and peasants directly contributes to Africa's underdevelopment.
3) A successful agricultural production process will be based on the workers and peasants themselves running things (voluntary collectivization), the elimination of the profit motive, and the appropriate application on [agro-ecological??] technology [yes! yes!!].
(p.74)
p.s. never have i ever felt like my book title was more absurdly, pretentiously obscure than with this book on the train.
Mostly a snappy (100-page) critique of state socialism & neoliberal capitalism in Africa from an anarchist perspective, and a biting red anarchist colonial history. Refreshing for that anarchist perspective on socialist states-- against authoritarianism, centralization, militarization, and state violence but not against socialism itself-- but the book was not the call-to-arms nor "history of a movement" that I was hoping for.
I loved how Mbah and Igariwey addressed the failure of Nyerere's socialism in Tanzania, laying the blame not in the collectives but in their centralized control ("The Ujamaa model failed because it degenerated into state control over the peasants" p. 77), and of course, neocolonial debt & structural adjustment. I attribute a pretty big part of my formative radicalization to what I have read by Nyerere but I've also done research with frustrated members of former farmers cooperatives in several parts of Tanzania, so I appreciated reading a critique of the country's failed socialist experiment that took the movement seriously but did not romanticize it either, easy to do if you're at all sympathetic given how crucially fucked the country was by the IMF.
Most other case studies were under-elaborated, including those about pre-colonial anarchist elements in different African cultures. More work needs to be done, and much less generalizing across a continent. Curious now about David Graeber's dissertation work in Madagascar.
Some lessons:
1) There can be no development in Africa that does not raise the productivity and income of peasants, skilled and nonskilled workers, who form about 90% of the economically productive population of sub-Saharan Africa. Any development policy that aims at meaningful change must touch the lives of the poor directly. [yes!]
2) The reliance on state power over workers and peasants directly contributes to Africa's underdevelopment.
3) A successful agricultural production process will be based on the workers and peasants themselves running things (voluntary collectivization), the elimination of the profit motive, and the appropriate application on [agro-ecological??] technology [yes! yes!!].
(p.74)
p.s. never have i ever felt like my book title was more absurdly, pretentiously obscure than with this book on the train.
October 19, 2016
lacking in historical rigor and very introductory but a cool postcolonial/anarchist critique. technically a 3-star but i'm arbitrarily giving it an extra star bc i had fun reading it and goodreads's reviews are meaningless
January 10, 2020
Pretty good, but short and doesn't really delve into African forms of Anarchism as much as something Cultural Universals and Particulars :An African Perspective, but it's still worth a read.
January 5, 2020
For such a short book, it spends too long reiterating the basics of anarchism before getting to, well, African Anarchism. Stuff on the communal character of pre-colonial African societies and how those have survived into the present day, how they’ve been used in socialist theorizing, the stuff you’d expect from a book like this—they’re all great.
November 30, 2021
This book is a short manifesto in defense of the sociopolitical and economic theory of “Anarchism,” and more specifically, how it can be used to liberate the continent of Africa from centuries of capitalist and imperialist domination. After spending the first few chapters defining what Anarchism is and what it is not, the authors trace the history of Anarchist development and operation in traditional African societies, weaving in a vigorous critique of both capitalism and “state socialism.”
The authors assert that Anarchism is a system of social organization that seeks to destroy and replace the state and all of its forms. Anarchism agrees with the Marxist-Leninist conception of the state as an instrument of class oppression, positing that any and all forms of statecraft are inherently “authoritarian.” It departs with Marxist-Leninist thought, however, insofar as Marxist-Leninists seek to wield state power for their own socialist aims. Anarchists contend that Marxism cannot abolish and effectively replace capitalism due to its attachment to the state and state rule. The authors repeatedly stress that Anarchism does NOT mean disorder or chaos, but instead contemplates a bottom-up form of communal organization, where full democratic rule and cooperation exists at every level of social, political, and economic life. In short, Anarchism is horizontal, decentralized, and rooted in communal rule.
The authors make a point to note that there is not much (if any) written materials on Anarchism in Africa. Unfortunately, this leaves the theoretical underpinnings of the philosophy on some pretty Eurocentric grounds. However, the chapter on African Communalism rectifies this somewhat, as the authors liken Communalism to Anarchism, noting the absence of classes, wealth expropriation, and the commodification of basic needs as features of both Communalism and Anarchism. The authors explain that African Communalism involved social arrangement on kinship ties. It was a highly decentralized and horizontal structure that allowed each household to obtain their basic needs despite relatively low levels of productivity. In Communalist societies, equality was deliberate and a priority. Although, traditional African societies were largely non-hierarchal, they were not void of leadership. Leadership was rooted in the wisdom and guidance of elders, as well as the compact and compartmentalized focus of specific groups within the society. Overall, leadership focused on making sure that folks acted in the interests of the entire group.
One of the more interesting and informative aspects of the book is the section on colonialism. The authors’ analysis of the political economy of colonialism, it’s underlying rationales, and its impact on traditional African Communalism is highly informative. Colonialism crushed institutionalized African Communalism by displacing and subordinating African labor to European interests, imposing capitalistic property relations, and introducing class antagonisms where they didn’t previously exist. The analysis of colonialism gave way to an analysis of its response—the anti-colonial / independence movements—most of which were rooted in the struggle for socialism. While the authors recognize the common origins of Marxist-Leninist and Anarchist thought, they go to great lengths to demonstrate that socialism has been a failure on the African continent. The authors identify centralization and authoritarianism inherent in the state as the prime impediment to socialist development, arguing that African leaders were simply unable to implement an egalitarian vision without replicating the damaging power dynamics left by colonialism.
It is interesting that the authors spend as much time critiquing socialism as they do capitalism, while at the same time acknowledging that capitalism is at the root of Africa’s problems. They essentially argue that capitalism and socialism are two sides of the same statist coin, as capitalism represents liberty without equality while socialism represents equality without liberty. While I found many of the critiques of African socialism to be lacking in detail and somewhat incomplete, the points raised about the internal contradictions of Marxist-Leninist thought must be grappled with by any self-described socialist. Ultimately, my biggest critique of this book is that it fails to discuss (or even identify) Pan Africanism in the overall struggle for African Anarchism, and also does not spend enough time detailing how Anarchism can be built from the ground up (he also did not discuss how Antiracism can be built to scale at all). Nevertheless, this is a valuable book for anyone interested in grappling with theories involving African redemption and liberation.
The authors assert that Anarchism is a system of social organization that seeks to destroy and replace the state and all of its forms. Anarchism agrees with the Marxist-Leninist conception of the state as an instrument of class oppression, positing that any and all forms of statecraft are inherently “authoritarian.” It departs with Marxist-Leninist thought, however, insofar as Marxist-Leninists seek to wield state power for their own socialist aims. Anarchists contend that Marxism cannot abolish and effectively replace capitalism due to its attachment to the state and state rule. The authors repeatedly stress that Anarchism does NOT mean disorder or chaos, but instead contemplates a bottom-up form of communal organization, where full democratic rule and cooperation exists at every level of social, political, and economic life. In short, Anarchism is horizontal, decentralized, and rooted in communal rule.
The authors make a point to note that there is not much (if any) written materials on Anarchism in Africa. Unfortunately, this leaves the theoretical underpinnings of the philosophy on some pretty Eurocentric grounds. However, the chapter on African Communalism rectifies this somewhat, as the authors liken Communalism to Anarchism, noting the absence of classes, wealth expropriation, and the commodification of basic needs as features of both Communalism and Anarchism. The authors explain that African Communalism involved social arrangement on kinship ties. It was a highly decentralized and horizontal structure that allowed each household to obtain their basic needs despite relatively low levels of productivity. In Communalist societies, equality was deliberate and a priority. Although, traditional African societies were largely non-hierarchal, they were not void of leadership. Leadership was rooted in the wisdom and guidance of elders, as well as the compact and compartmentalized focus of specific groups within the society. Overall, leadership focused on making sure that folks acted in the interests of the entire group.
One of the more interesting and informative aspects of the book is the section on colonialism. The authors’ analysis of the political economy of colonialism, it’s underlying rationales, and its impact on traditional African Communalism is highly informative. Colonialism crushed institutionalized African Communalism by displacing and subordinating African labor to European interests, imposing capitalistic property relations, and introducing class antagonisms where they didn’t previously exist. The analysis of colonialism gave way to an analysis of its response—the anti-colonial / independence movements—most of which were rooted in the struggle for socialism. While the authors recognize the common origins of Marxist-Leninist and Anarchist thought, they go to great lengths to demonstrate that socialism has been a failure on the African continent. The authors identify centralization and authoritarianism inherent in the state as the prime impediment to socialist development, arguing that African leaders were simply unable to implement an egalitarian vision without replicating the damaging power dynamics left by colonialism.
It is interesting that the authors spend as much time critiquing socialism as they do capitalism, while at the same time acknowledging that capitalism is at the root of Africa’s problems. They essentially argue that capitalism and socialism are two sides of the same statist coin, as capitalism represents liberty without equality while socialism represents equality without liberty. While I found many of the critiques of African socialism to be lacking in detail and somewhat incomplete, the points raised about the internal contradictions of Marxist-Leninist thought must be grappled with by any self-described socialist. Ultimately, my biggest critique of this book is that it fails to discuss (or even identify) Pan Africanism in the overall struggle for African Anarchism, and also does not spend enough time detailing how Anarchism can be built from the ground up (he also did not discuss how Antiracism can be built to scale at all). Nevertheless, this is a valuable book for anyone interested in grappling with theories involving African redemption and liberation.
March 27, 2019
Not exhaustive by any means, but it wasn't intended to be, so that's no mark against it. Instead, this is a perfectly concise critique of past and existing social orders, and a convenient jumping off point for further study. Looking forward to diving deeper into the cited material. Highly recommend this for anyone with little prior knowledge of the subject.
November 8, 2020
Not a perfect book, especially as it’s a bit dated, and it’s too short to go into depth on the topics it covers. And I don’t necessarily agree with everything in the book. But it is such an accessible and readable introduction to various topics (anarchism, recent African history), I can highly recommend it to anyone interested in these topics.
October 5, 2008
and by I.E. Igariwey.
Good intro to anarchist thought, but sparse in its examples of "anarchic practices" of pre-colonial Africa. A great attack on capitalism, colnialism, and "socialist" states in Africa. Good read.
Good intro to anarchist thought, but sparse in its examples of "anarchic practices" of pre-colonial Africa. A great attack on capitalism, colnialism, and "socialist" states in Africa. Good read.
October 21, 2023
Still a unique and much needed book, but problematic in its need to be short and concise. It leads to big generalisation about "african culture", and anticolonial liberation struggles. Although it was written in the 90s when development started to be criticised, on africa in particular, the book defends a developmentalist approach to African liberation. It is obviously never suggested how development can live alongside the traditional cultures the authors believe can be the roots of an African anarchism.
May 12, 2020
Quite disappointed with this book. Was expecting more about the history of African anarchist organizing, but it was fairly limited in it's discussion and lacked details. Mainly only discussed Tanzania and it's failures. I recognize the difficulties of trying to find these details but I didn't really gain as much from this as I was hoping. Unfortunate.
December 7, 2021
FULL REVIEW! (includes in depth analysis and critique
African Anarchism by Sam Mbah and I.E. Igariwey is a well-researched, well-presented, and extremely well-thought-out book. Saying that it is grossly under-read would be an understatement at best and disrespectful at worst. The former is self-explanatory, and the latter is expected. Anarchist literature is typically discarded, what more (or less, depending on how you look at it) would be expected from a piece of anarchist writing whose central focus is the African continent – a continent that is perpetually exploited and has been under the tyrannical rule of somebody since the Europeans figured out that the earth is not flat?
People say, over and over, that this book is the first of its kind. That is undeniably true. What feels even more incredible to me is the fact that – along with being the first book to cover this particular topic in this particular context – it did so, so well. I am in absolute awe of Mbah and Igariwey for the manner in which they wrote this book; it is nothing short of impeccable.
Obviously my review is not perfect because I am ill-acquainted with non-fiction but I really enjoyed this book overall.
African Anarchism by Sam Mbah and I.E. Igariwey is a well-researched, well-presented, and extremely well-thought-out book. Saying that it is grossly under-read would be an understatement at best and disrespectful at worst. The former is self-explanatory, and the latter is expected. Anarchist literature is typically discarded, what more (or less, depending on how you look at it) would be expected from a piece of anarchist writing whose central focus is the African continent – a continent that is perpetually exploited and has been under the tyrannical rule of somebody since the Europeans figured out that the earth is not flat?
People say, over and over, that this book is the first of its kind. That is undeniably true. What feels even more incredible to me is the fact that – along with being the first book to cover this particular topic in this particular context – it did so, so well. I am in absolute awe of Mbah and Igariwey for the manner in which they wrote this book; it is nothing short of impeccable.
Obviously my review is not perfect because I am ill-acquainted with non-fiction but I really enjoyed this book overall.
February 16, 2018
Author spends the majority of the book discussing the European, Asian, and American strands of a¬¬narchism as political theory, especially contrasting it with socialism/Marxism. Readers who are well read on such topics and were expecting an in depth critique of anarchism in Africa will be disappointed. That said, the final chapter was great and was the first part of the book where I felt I understood the author’s thesis.
I felt that an unexplored topic in this book was the connection between indigenous culture (especially religion) and an embrace or rejection of anarchism.
I felt that an unexplored topic in this book was the connection between indigenous culture (especially religion) and an embrace or rejection of anarchism.
August 27, 2020
Definitely a classic - very clear summary of what anarchism actually is, why post-colonial govts have failed across the continent, and why anarchist organising is "Africa's way out". Personally not a fan of the evolutionist model of progress that underlies the authors' arguments, but there's still a lot of great history & analysis in the book despite this.
Published in 1997, the book is somewhat outdated, but still makes many observations that are relevant as ever for today's troubled times.
Published in 1997, the book is somewhat outdated, but still makes many observations that are relevant as ever for today's troubled times.
May 4, 2023
Very interesting and informative read. It was a bit on the short side, however. I would have liked a deeper dive into the class struggles across the Africa continent.
I sure hope one day the communalisim outlined in the book can make a much needed return in order to heal a land ravaged by colonialism, capitalism, and in some cases, state "socialist" capitalism.
I sure hope one day the communalisim outlined in the book can make a much needed return in order to heal a land ravaged by colonialism, capitalism, and in some cases, state "socialist" capitalism.
January 7, 2025
Entertaining read. Contains some great historical analysis. Unfortunately, many gaping holes in the reasoning and a strong lack of evidence denigrate the books value. Ultimately, the rigor applied here is quite low. It is certainly a biased manipulation of history in support of the anarchist (which i am!). Recommend to those who are not very familiar with African social culture and anarchism.
April 16, 2018
First chapter was a good introduction to anarchist ideas, the rest of the book was at best a summary of an argument about the relevance of those ideas to Africa. Light, not overly useful.
May 22, 2021
1. A great introduction to African socialist history, anarchist history, and some general colonial history
2. A great argument against Marxist socialism (which in the applied sense, the authors refuse to even name ‘socialism’, using ‘state-capitalism’ as a synonym)
3. A great exploration of an interesting premise that Africa should and will be the best place for the development of anarchism.
I found the discussion on indigenous anarchic elements and the brief history of anarchism particularly rewarding for me (the latter, being a beginner on). The only down side I would say is the fact-loading of chapters 4 and 5, who are a little too intensive, without much appeal to me personally. I am really excited to discover Nyerere after this read though!
2. A great argument against Marxist socialism (which in the applied sense, the authors refuse to even name ‘socialism’, using ‘state-capitalism’ as a synonym)
3. A great exploration of an interesting premise that Africa should and will be the best place for the development of anarchism.
I found the discussion on indigenous anarchic elements and the brief history of anarchism particularly rewarding for me (the latter, being a beginner on). The only down side I would say is the fact-loading of chapters 4 and 5, who are a little too intensive, without much appeal to me personally. I am really excited to discover Nyerere after this read though!
September 23, 2013
Dogmatic anarcho-communism. Quotes Bakunin like Marxists quote Marx and has an incredibly shallow analysis of colonialism. Pushes for an anarchist ideology to lead Africa towards a bright, progressive future. The examples of tribal groups who practice anarchism as a way of life are all agricultural peoples, who are, conveniently for his party line, between the hunter-gatherer stage and the feudalistic stage. Paints education as the key towards an anarchist world; if only everyone knew about us!
November 7, 2011
A decent start, but pretty anemic...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews