THINKING ABOUT POLITICS IN AFRICA

Abstract

To introduce the theme of philosophy and politics in Africa, we will deliberately choose to think philosophically politics (and not politics) in Africa. Some will see this as an interference in the traditional territory of political sociology or political science. However, two main reasons justify such a choice: the first concerns the fact that it has always been intended, since Plato and Aristotle, to confine philosophical reflection on the political to either its essence or its fundamental characteristics, distinguishing the normative aspect from the positive aspect. Thus, Plato’s reflection on the undecorruptible ideal city in The Republic led to the understanding of political philosophy as an architectural science: for a city to be just, it is indispensable that it be directed by the philosopher or by the king who will be initiated into philosophical science. Philosophical science and political science define themselves in the same way, as the "art of running the city according to justice".