Political Science in Africa: Freedom, Relevance, Impact
- For policymakers
- Summary created: 2025
Investigates the evolution of political science in Africa, emphasizing the themes of freedom, relevance, and impact within the continent’s socio-political context.
This summary, including its recommendations and ideas, was created by Martial Fanga and is based on original research. The original research itself was conducted in collaboration with the following researchers.
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Political science in Africa is deeply intertwined with the continent’s historical and ongoing struggles for agency and democratic governance. The discipline has been shaped by the legacy of colonialism, which continues to influence its theoretical and practical frameworks. The book ”Political Science in Africa: Freedom, Relevance, Impact,” edited by Liisa Laakso and Siphamandla Zondi, emerges from a conference held in Accra in 2019, aiming to critically assess the discipline through the lens of Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities. The book is divided into four thematic sections, each addressing different aspects of political science: foundational debates and historical context, teaching and practice, the role of political scientists in society, and future trajectories. The foundational section discusses the impact of colonialism and the necessity of decolonization, with contributors like Shadrack Wanjala Nasong’o and Eghosa Osaghae advocating for a shift towards emancipatory critical approaches and the mainstreaming of decolonization in African political science.
The teaching and practice section highlights the Western-centric focus of political science curricula in African universities, as analyzed by Christopher Isike and Olumuyiwa Babatunde Amao. This focus undermines the discipline’s relevance to African realities, prompting calls for a more localized approach. The role of political scientists as public intellectuals is examined, with Adigun Agbaje emphasizing the importance of linking scholarship with civic participation. The book concludes with reflections on the future of political science in Africa, advocating for a decolonial turn and the development of innovative methodologies grounded in local contexts. Despite its strengths, the book is critiqued for lacking empirical data and practical frameworks for implementing decolonization in political science education.
Insights
The legacy of colonialism continues to shape political science in Africa, necessitating a shift towards decolonization and emancipatory critical approaches.
Evidence
Shadrack Wanjala Nasong'o maps the theoretical field, highlighting the duality between developmentalist liberal and emancipatory critical approaches, with the latter being more compatible with African political phenomena (pp. 13-29).
What it means
Embracing emancipatory critical approaches can help African political science better address the continent's unique socio-political challenges.
Political science curricula in African universities remain predominantly Western-centric, undermining their relevance to African contexts.
Evidence
Christopher Isike and Olumuyiwa Babatunde Amao's analysis reveals a significant Western-centric focus in many programs, which diminishes the relevance of political studies to African realities (pp. 83-103).
What it means
A localized approach to political education is necessary to enhance the discipline's applicability and impact in Africa.
Political scientists in Africa play a crucial role as public intellectuals, linking scholarship with civic participation.
Evidence
Adigun Agbaje argues for the relevance of political scientists in engaging with societal issues, emphasizing the need for a robust connection between scholarship and civic participation (pp. 185-197).
What it means
Strengthening the role of political scientists as public intellectuals can enhance their impact on democratic governance and societal development.
The future of political science in Africa requires a renewed dialogue around the political, with a focus on decolonial methodologies.
Evidence
Siphamandla Zondi advocates for a decolonial turn, emphasizing the need for African scholars to engage with existing frameworks while developing innovative pathways grounded in local contexts (pp. 225-233).
What it means
A decolonial approach can foster more relevant and impactful political science research and practice in Africa.
Proposed action
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