AFRICAN POLITICS AND HEGEL’S CONCEPT OF THE STATE
Godwyns Ade’ AGBUDE
Covenant University, Department of Political Science and International Relations, School of Social Sciences, College of Development Studies, Ota, Ogun State
Tel.: +2348034854242 E-mail: agodwins1@yahoo.com; godwyns.agbude@covenantuniversity.edu.ng
Abstract
The most obvious pattern of African post-colonial States revolves around Hegel’s theory of State as the ultimate objectification or self-projection of the Absolute Spirit in which the drivers of government policies are superior to the people. This paper investigated and outlined the consequences and the remedy to this Hegel’s foundation of African States and emphasized the necessity for sustainable development to become the goal of those in the position of power in Africa. The remedy is located in the reconstruction of the concept of State in Africa with the purpose of producing a State that integrates the people into its policies and pursues development ideology that is people-oriented. This paper placed the responsibility of service and respect for the voices of the demos (the people) on the political leaders and their bureaucratic counterparts and recommended the provision of a viable socio-eco-political platform for the realization of the holistic development in Africa.
Keywords: Hegel, state, reconstruction, sustainable development, good governance, absolute spirit