Where is Socialism in Tanzania?
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Date
2012-05
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Abstract
After independence Tanzania adopted a socialist ideology,‘Ujamaa’.‘Ujamaa’ was a
political decision to societal development. It is obvious majority poor were complacent to it.
This made many Tanzanians to identify themselves as “wajamaa.” Nevertheless, the
economic crisis of 1970s swayed Tanzania to adopt Structural Adjustment Programmes
(SAPs)1. SAPs are grounded in liberalism. This situation led Tanzania to a dilemma of
having liberalism and abandoning socialism since the two ideologies are disputable and can
never be applied at the same setting. Apparently, the socialist ideology is identified with
Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere, the founder of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi1 (CCM). It is
logical that to abandon “Ujamaa” is to illegitimise CCM from the majority Tanzanians.
Instead, Tanzania decided to adopt the SAPs in 1980s and remain with Ujamaa on paper for
legitimacy. In 1991 Zanzibar Resolution was drawn to entomb core values of “Ujamaa”.It is
this particular event which is claimed as marking death of “Ujamaa” in practice. Mwl.
Nyerere himself commented in 1993 that “Ujamaa” had been warped. Yet, CCM would
argue for existence of “Ujamaa”. The bases for the argument are Article 9(j) of the
Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania 1977(URT Constitution) and Article 4(3)
and 5(3) of the CCM Constitution 1977(CCM Constitution). This paper argues that
Tanzania has currently a “myeloma” in ideology. And thus, it suffers a crisis. Its praxis is
absent. Concomitantly, the praxis of liberalism through privatization policies and legislation
is repugnant and thus unconstitutional. This leaves the general public confused. Moreover it
makes investors lose confidence in business as a result. The paper recommends a wider
debate involving all stakeholders be held in guiding the country to one clear direction on
ideology.
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Socialism in Tanzania
Citation
8.1.2 Makulilo, V. (May, 2012) “Where is Socialism in Tanzania?” Elixir Social Science, Issue 46, P. 8170-8180