ANALYSIS OF VIOLENCE IN FRANTZ FANON’S REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALISM

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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

  1. Background of the Study 1                                                                                       
    1. Statement of the Problem                                                          2
    1. Thesis Statement                                                                 2
    1. Purpose of the Study                                                                              2
    1. Significance of the Study                                                             2
    1. Scope of the Study                                                                  3
    1. Methodology                                                                                 3
    1. 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