UNDERSTANDING FANON’S THEORY OF VIOLENCE AND ITS RELEVANCE TO CONTEMPORARY VIOLENCE IN AFRICA

Abstract

The main thrust of this paper is to demonstrate that Fanon’s thesis of violence is relevant to violence in modern times. It explores Fanon’s analysis of colonial violence and violence for liberation. It then argues that socio-economic deprivation and alienation which he identifies as the root causes of racial and tribal violence in the colonial world are responsible for the outbreak and escalation of racial and ethnic violence in modern society, especially Africa. Rather than subscribe to Fanon’s belief in revolution, this paper recommends that restructuring of socio-political systems, and development of humans and infrastructure, among others, remain major panaceas for contemporary violence in Africa.