Aspects of Nyerere's Economic Thought: A Study in the Dynamics of African Leaders' Aspirations in Directing Their Countries' Economic Grouth after Independence

Abstract

African independence challenged the new nations of Africa with how best to bring about the betterment of life. Before independence, Africans were subordinated and given a low priority in the sharing of their countries' economic blessings. Therefore, with the withering away of colonialism, African leaders had to think of how best to bring about development for their respective countries. Developmental strategies that ensued ranged from trial and error to dogmatic. However, imperialism did not leave them alone. Many leaders were overthrown regardless of the endearment of their nationals. And, the resulting economic situation was in shambles. Natural disasters did not spare the African new states. Then again, Africans' own warrings retarded their economic growth. This paper looks into the ways and means of one of Africa's leaders, Julius Kambarage Nyerere of Tanzania, as for over two decades he struggled toward making Tanzania an economically viable nation-state.