Politics and Ideologies in Africa Today

The new states of Africa seek the political development will pave the way for modernization. The most important single factor behind the drive for political development in African states, is political ideology which influences developments.From the above point of view, in this article, I will examine the characteristics of African political ideologies.Common to all African political ideologies is the neo-traditionalist orientation or tendency to maintain traditional African values. African ideologies tend to attempt a fusion of modern technology and traditional African values. Therefore, in case of this fusion being successful, each African ideology has enough vitality to function as a tractive force not only in the process of political development but in modernization as a whole.In paticular, I would like to discuss Pan-Africanism and African Socialism. Pan-Africanism is the basis of Macro-nationalism and African Socialism is that of Micro-nationalism.I think that the influence of Pan-Africanism is decreasing in 1960's with the growing resistance of Micro-nationalism increases. The very meaning of African unity has changed to mean the unity of aspiration and action of African states, while previously it meant political integration of sovereign African states, Thus, Micro-nationalism seems to be the new order in Africa. Thus, African Socialism will also become more powerfull in the future. I think that in the long run its vitality hinges upon whether it depends on traditional spiritual values or traditional institutional values.