Freedom and Democracy: Bringing Africa Back into the Discourse of Modernity
Submitted by imodoye on Sat, 01/29/2011 - 7:09pm
Panel Abstract:
Despite some setbacks in recent times, few would deny that African countries have been on the road to installing representative democracy in their respective polities. But even fewer would consider these movements as manifestations of ongoing late transitions to modernity. And most think that these are very new developments in the continent. Yet a serious engagement with the history of the continent beyond the truncated narratives of colonialism and its apologists would reveal that the history of modernity in Africa is much longer and has not always been associated with Africans been victims or resisters of the phenomenon. This panel is designed to familiarize more people with a richer understanding of the complexity of Africa's place in the politico-philosophical discourse of modernity and, thereby, enhance the quality of the solidarity that we extend to the continent and its peoples.
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- Africa
- Race
- M. Panel Session 6—Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
- Lewis Gordon—Philosophy Department, Temple University, Philadelphia
- Approved
- Charles W. Mills—Philosophy Department, Northwestern University
- Laura Hengehold—Philosophy Department, Case Western Reserve University
- Lewis Gordon—Philosophy Department, Temple University
- Olufemi Taiwo—Philosophy Dept. and Global African Stud. Prog., Seattle University
- Souleymane Bachir Diagne—Philosophy Department, Columbia University
- 39
- W606
Panel Abstract:
Despite some setbacks in recent times, few would deny that African countries have been on the road to installing representative democracy in their respective polities. But even fewer would consider these movements as manifestations of ongoing late transitions to modernity. And most think that these are very new developments in the continent. Yet a serious engagement with the history of the continent beyond the truncated narratives of colonialism and its apologists would reveal that the history of modernity in Africa is much longer and has not always been associated with Africans been victims or resisters of the phenomenon. This panel is designed to familiarize more people with a richer understanding of the complexity of Africa's place in the politico-philosophical discourse of modernity and, thereby, enhance the quality of the solidarity that we extend to the continent and its peoples.
Go Back to Search for Panels by Topic
