Decolonising neo-colonial hegemonies in Africa: A comparative case for socialist realism in the drama and law of Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa

Stanley Timeyin Ohenhen, Princewill Chukwuma Abakporo, Oluwatobiloba Ifedolapo Ajayi, Ooreofe-kristi Faniyi, Olatunde Wright, Grace Adigun, Fidelis Egbe, Olusegun Olaniyi, Kolawole Olawale, Olayiwola Oladele

Article ID: 3420
Vol 8, Issue 5, 2024

VIEWS - 386 (Abstract) 441 (PDF)

Abstract


Through a comparative investigation of the function of socialist realism in the drama and law of Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, this research investigates the decolonization of neo-colonial hegemonies in Africa. Using the drama and legal systems of Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa as comparative case studies, the research explores how African societies can challenge and demolish oppressive systems of domination sustained by colonial legacies and contemporary neo-colonial forces. Relying on the Socialist Realism and Critical Postcolonial theoretical frameworks which both support literary and artistic genre that encourages social and political transformation, the research deploys the case study analysis, comparative literature analysis and focused group discussion methods. Data obtained are subjected to content and thematic analysis. The study emphasizes how important the relationship between the legal and artistic worlds is to the fight against neo-colonialism. It further reveals the transformational potential of socialist realism as a catalyst for social change by looking at themes of resistance, social justice, and the amplifying of disadvantaged voices in drama and legal discourse. The research contributes to ongoing discussions about de-neo-colonization through this comparative case study, and emphasizes the role socialist realism plays in overthrowing neo-colonial hegemonies. The study sheds light on the distinct difficulties and opportunities these nations—and indeed, all of Africa—face in their pursuit of decolonial justice by examining the experiences of Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.


Keywords


decolonization; neo-colonialism; hegemony; Africa; drama; law; Socialist Realism; social justice

Full Text:

PDF


References


Alexander, J. (2015). Gorky’s Socialist Realism: The creation and production of The Lower Depths. Studies in Russian and Soviet Cinema, 9(1), 25–42.

Brecht, B., Weill, K. (1987). The Threepenny Opera. Translated by Robert MacDonald, Methuen Drama.

Brecht, B. (2006). Mother Courage and Her Children. Translated by Tony Kushner, Methuen Drama.

Cohen, G.A. (2008). Socialist Justice and Legal Theory. Columbia Law Review, 59(4), 420–432.

Escobar, A. (1995). Encountering Development: The Making and Unmaking of the Third World. Princeton University Press.

Fanon, F. (1952). Black Skin, White Masks. Editions du Seuil.

Fanon, F. (1963). The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press.

Gathii, J. T. (2011). War, Commerce, and international law. Oxford University Press.

Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. (1999). The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Available online: http://www.nigeria-law.org/ (accessed on 20 December 2023).

Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. (2022). National Social Investment Programme. Available online: https://opentreasury.gov.ng/index.php/component/content/article/121-2022/social-sector-2022-monthly/7666-national-social-investment-office?Itemid=101 (accessed on 20 December 2023).

Government of the Republic of Kenya. (2010). The Constitution of the Republic of Kenya. Available online: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/ (accessed on 20 December 2023).

Government of the Republic of South Africa. (1997). The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Available online: https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/constitution-republic-south-africa-04-feb-1997 (accessed on 20 December 2023).

Government of the Republic of South Africa. (1997). Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53. Available online: https://www.gov.za/ (accessed on 20 December 2023).

Gurvitch, G. (1946). The Social Structure of the Soviet State: Law and Administration. Columbia Law Review, 46(3), 537–554.

Lugogo, P. U., Dsane-Selby, L., & Chanza, N. (2019). Affirmative Action in Employment Equity in South Africa: An evaluation of the effectiveness of the policy. Journal of African Legal Studies, 12(3), 345–367

Lukacs, G. (1971). History & Class Consciousness: Studies in Marxist Dialectics. Merlin Press.

Makau, J. M. (2016). The Interaction between Trancendental Marxan Critique, Socialist Realism, and the Law of Capitalist Transformation. Review of Radical Political Economics, 48(1), 43–52.

Mamdani, M. (1996). Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism. Princeton University Press.

Mamdani, M. (2002). When Victims Become Killers: Colonialism, Nativism, and the Genocide in Rwanda. Princeton University Press.

Mignolo, W. (2011). The Darker Side of Western Modernity: Global Futures, Decolonial Options. Duke University Press.

Mtwa, P., Ngema, M., Simon, B. (2018). Woza Albert. Bloomsbury Academic.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. (1986). Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature. James Currey.

Ngugi Wa Thiong’o and Ngugi wa Mirii (1977). I Will Marry When I want: Nairobi. Kamiriithu Educational and Cultural Centre.

Nkrumah, K. (1963). Africa Must Unite. Panaf Books.

Nkrumah, K. (1965). Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism. International Publishers Company, Incorporated.

Nkrumah, K. (1967). Consciencism: Philosophy and Ideology for Decolonization. Monthly Review Press.

Rokossovsky, Lev A. (1975). The Theory of Socialist Law and the Problems of General Theory of Law. Journal of Socialist Legal Studies, 5(2): 87–104.

Said, E. (1978). Orientalism, by Edward Said, published by Pantheon Books.

Shklar, J.N. (1988). Legal Theory and Socialist Realism. Yale Law Journal, 97(6), 1457–1477.

Smith, T. (2017). Social Realism and the Criminal Justice System. Journal of Legal Studies, 25(2), 189–210.

Soyinka, W. (1984). A Play of Giant. Spectrum

Spivak, G.C. (1985–1986). Can the Subaltern Speak? Journal Wedge, 7(8).

Weisberg, G.P. (1980). The Realist Tradition: French Painting and Drawing, 1830–1900, Cleveland Museum of Art.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i5.3420

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Stanley Timeyin Ohenhen, Princewill Chukwuma Abakporo, Oluwatobiloba Ifedolapo Ajayi, Ooreofe-kristi Faniyi, Olatunde Wright, Grace Adigun, Fidelis Egbe, Olusegun Olaniyi, Kolawole Olawale, Olayiwola Oladele

License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.