Przyszłość państwa i granic w Afryce. Alternatywny punkt widzenia

• Authors: Krzysztof Trzciński

Title variants

EN

The future of the African state and borders. An alternative perspective

• Languages of publication: PL

Abstracts

EN

In this article I present and critically analyze the main ideas of the Nigerian thinker, Ifeanyi A. Menkiti, on the problem of African borders for the future of the African state. Menkiti appears to consider that the basic condition for the successful coexistence of the various groups of peoples (ethnic groups, tribes) occupying the states of Africa is for relations between them to rest on equitable principles. Justice, in his opinion, should involve the fair and equitable division amongst peoples of the burdens and benefits of living in a common state. To realize this ideal, he proposes the creation in Africa of morally neutral, minimalist managerial states, in which the competencies of the regional authorities would be increased at the cost of the central government. He bases his plan in part on the ideas of John Rawls, especially on his 'law of peoples'. Close analysis of Menkiti's views shows that his vision of the managerial state is only a temporary solution, which is to lead to the peaceful dismemberment of the current post-colonial model of multi-ethnic states functioning within the old colonial borders. The basic value of Menkiti's thought rests in his reversal of the usual perspective on African states, as he considers that maintaining territorial integrity or achieving unity should no longer be considered a paramount necessity.

Keywords

EN

Africa; State; Borders; Ifeanyi Menkiti

• Publisher: Instytut Nauk Politycznych, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie
• Journal: Forum Politologiczne
• Year: 2010
• Volume: 10 - Przestrzeń i granice we współczesnej Afryce
• Pages: 243-262

Contributors

author

Krzysztof Trzciński

• Uniwersytet Warszawski

References

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