Europe Versus Africa: Hegemony Versus Dependence

Abstract

This paper reviews the cultural relationship between Europe and Africa as they have evolved from the times of slavery through imperialism to colonialism and neo-colonialism. It establishes the unproductive nature of this relationship and argues that this is arising from the culture of greed and exploitation on the one hand and dependence and weakness on the other hand. It articulates the intellectual foundation of this unproductive relationship as emanating from the wrong European concept of the universal on the one hand and Africa's lack of self-confidence on the other hand. It argues that Africa's lack of self-confidence necessary for self-evaluation has contributed to poor development in Africa the result of which has been the cultural conquest of Africa. The paper proposes an alternative basis of self-worth on the part of Africa and authentic humanism on the part of Europe and argues that these are the necessary basis for a more productive relationship between Europe and Africa and the basis for promoting a genuine cultural dialogue between these two world cultures.


Humanities Review Journal Vol.4 2004:61-70