ABSTRACT
Violence for Frantz
Fanon is the weapon of decolonization for Africa. His analysis is encapsulated
in his theory of revolutionary socialism. Revolutionary socialism is the use of
violence to fight colonialism, racism, slavery, imperialism and exploitation
which have dehumanized the Africans. As an Algerian, Fanon experienced the
effects of colonization because living in France confronted him with the racial
contradictions of French republican ideology. Fanon opted for violent
resistance as a result of the unbearable situation that Algerians in particular
and Africans in general found themselves in the hands of the colonialists. He
regarded physical violence as an accompanying characteristics of violence.
Previous studies on Fanon’s violence dwelt much on the immediate benefit of
violence as a tool for decolonization but little attention was given to the
long term effect of using violence to fight violence. Though the weakness is
that in some situations using violence to fight violence can be
counter-productive, this study concludes that violence is a veritable tool for
decolonization especially in situations where the colonialists unleashed terror
on the colonized.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Approval Page ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vii
CHAPTER
ONE: INTRODUCTION
- Background of the Study 1
- Statement of the Problem 2
- Thesis Statement 2
- Purpose of the Study 2
- Significance of the Study 2
- Scope of the Study 3
- Methodology 3
- Explication of Terms 3
CHAPTER
TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Literature review 5
Gorgias the Collected Works of Plato – – – – – -Plato
Politics – – – – – – – -Aristotle
De Regno – – – – – – – -Aquinas
The Prince – – – – – – – – -Machiavelli
Leviathan – – – – – – – -Hobbes
Social Contract – – – – – – -Rousseau
Second Treatise of Government – – – – -Locke
Communist Manifesto – – – – – – -Marx
Delhi Diary, Prayer Speech – – – – – -Gandhi
A Handbook of Revolutionary Warfare – – -Nkrumah
2.2 Brief Biography of Frantz Fanon – – – 15
ENDNOTES
CHAPTER
THREE: EXPOSITION OF VIOLENCE IN FRANTZ FANON’S REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALISM.
3.1 Fanon’s Concept of Violence in his Revolutionary Socialism. 19
3.2 Fanon’s Five Classes of the Society. 27
ENDNOTES
CHAPTER
FOUR: APPRAISAL OF VIOLENCE IN FRANTZ FANON’S REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALISM
4.1 Strengths of Violence in Frantz Fanon’s Revolutionary Socialism35
4.2 Weaknesses of Violence in Frantz Fanon’s Revolutionary Socialism. 38
4.3 Implications of using Violence to Fight Violence 40
ENDNOTES
CHAPTER
FIVE: RELEVANCE, SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Relevances of Fanon’s Ideology to African Development 43
5.2 Summary and Conclusion 46
ENDNOTES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the study
Before
colonization, some African societies enjoyed a relative cultural stability and
psychological tranquility. These were lost in her violent contact with the
western world. The issue of the sad, inhuman and unforgettable events of the
transatlantic slave trade 1441- 1856, partition and consequent colonization of
the black continent 1884-1956 initiated and executed by the white men against
the will of the black men brought about so many negative effects on the
continent. It is clear that this business was brutal for it brought about a
collapse of a whole vision of life, of all beliefs, of every authority, the
loss of a people’s identity.
In
addition, it brought exploitation, racism, inferiority complex, denigration,
colonialism, a situation that was so unbearable that it made African
nationalists to fight for their freedom and independence. Due to the fact that
the colonial masters though not all of them used force to entrench their
inhuman treatments on their colonies, the nationalists had to use force also in
gaining their independence. That is quenching violence with violence for
without that the colonialists would not have peacefully relinquished their hold
on the colonized. As an Algerian, Fanon was confronted with colonial
domination, oppression, denigration, and the racial contradictions of French
republican ideology. As a result, Fanon maintained that the only way out of
this inhuman treatment is to opt for violent resistance. In other words,
violent revolution is both necessary and inevitable considering the plight of
African nations.
1.2
Statement of the problem
Colonialism
brought about so many negative effects on the black continent such as
imperialism, denigration, neo-colonialism etc. So Fanon proposed violence in
his Revolutionary Socialism as the solution to the liberation of Africa from
the shackles of colonialism and neo-colonialism. So this work will investigate
if Fanon’s violence in his Revolutionary Socialism can be a tool for liberation
or freedom.
1.3 Thesis Statement
This
study advances the thesis that the use of violence to fight violence may bring
about liberation/freedom but not in all cases.
1.4 Purpose of the study
The
purpose of this work is to expose the concept of violence in Frantz Fanon’s
Revolutionary Socialism. It will also ascertain the plausibility of using
violence as a tool for decolonization and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses
of violence in Frantz Fanon’s Revolutionary Socialism.
1.5 Significance of the study
The
significance of this work is based on the fact that it is an eye opener because
Frantz Fanon’s violence as encapsulated in his Revolutionary Socialism pays
full attention to the long term effect of fighting or quenching violence with
violence. It will also be a veritable resource material for researchers seeking
for intellectual growth and empowerment.
1.6 Scope of the study
This
study is particularly limited to the articulation and evaluation of violence in
Frantz Fanon’s Revolutionary Socialism. Relevant materials and views of other
philosophers and intellectuals that are related to his analysis of violence in
his Revolutionary Socialism will be included when and where necessary.
1.7 Methodology
The
historical-descriptive design was used for this study. Data were sourced from
books, journals, and biographies. The historical, expository, analytic, and
evaluative methods were employed. The historical approach was used to bring to
limelight the background of Frantz Fanon’s violence. The expository approach
was used to elucidate Fanon’s violence as a tool for decolonization. The
analytic approach was used to make Fanon’s violence understandable. The
evaluative approach was used to point out the strengths and weaknesses of
violence in Frantz Fanon’s Revolutionary Socialism.
1.8 Explication of terms
Revolutionary Socialism:
Is the use of violence to fight colonialism, racism, slavery, imperialism and
exploitation which have dehumanized the Africans.
Revolutionary:
According to Oxford Advanced English Dictionary Revolutionary is of or pertains
to revolution in government; tending to or promoting revolution; as
revolutionary war, revolutionary measures, revolutionary agitators. It also
pertains to something that portends of great change; overthrowing a standing
mindset.
Revolution: Revolution from the Latin etymology revolution entails a turn around, a reversal or change which takes place within a short period geared towards restructuring of power or organizational structures. This depicts a socio-political disagreement between the government and the masses being governed which often effect changes in the cultural, economic and socio-political inter-relationship in the state.
Colonialism:
The term colonialism according to Oxford Advanced English Dictionary means the
practice by which a powerful country rules another country or other countries
whether the later likes it or not.
Violence:
The term violence according to Oxford Advanced English Dictionary means extreme
force, an action intended to cause destruction, pain or suffering. It equally
means widespread fighting.
Non-violence: This according to Oxford Advanced English Dictionary means a philosophy that rejects the use of violence and instead seeks to bring about change through peaceful responses even to violent acts.
ANALYSIS OF VIOLENCE IN FRANTZ FANON’S REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALISM
