By Matthew Ike Obijekwu, PhD
Ideal-Africanism(and /or ideal-globalism), as conceptualized and defined by Matthew Ike Obijekwu, PhD, is a philosophico-ethical belief that it's only an ideal Africanist (or an ideal-globalist) who lives above corruption in all its ramifications or dimensions(either national, intercontinental or international stage) can salvage Africa (and the world) from national, intercontinental or international economic, political, cultural, technological and social strangulation, subjugation, dehumanization, discrimination or any form of inhuman treatment or intimidation, and project Africa and the world towards global community of unity, peace and solidarity that respects the humanness of all races. An Ideal-Africanist or ideal-globalist is a person, who does good, avoids evil and be part of Africa and global collective responsibility for peace, unity, solidarity and development.
With some reservations, ideal-Africansim recognizes thr fact of the ideals and humanistic components of some African ideologies such as Afro-communalism and egalitarianism; Julius Nyerere's Ujamaanism, Kwameh Nkrumah's consciencism and Ubuntuism. With regards to ideal-globalism, the global humanness within the confines of interconnectivity, togetherness and oneness is recognized by the philosophy of ideal-Africanism within the regional, intercontinental and international umbrella of the complementary and philosophical fundamentals of ideal-globalism.
Ideal-Africanism is a philosophy rooted in African unity, peace, solidarity and development, while ideal-globalism, as a complementary philosophy is rooted in the global oneness and interconnectedness and togetherness.
Ideal-Africanism and ideal-globalism: Extreme individualism, individualism and individuality
Extreme individualism
Some related words for extreme individualism are excessive individualism, hyper-individualism or atomistic individualism. The simplest meaning of extreme or hyper individualism is loneliness or isolation. Another related or similar word is "egoism" or "egocentrism" meaning "selfism" or "self-centeredness". Extreme individualism is about laying so much emphasis on self - "I am special" against others. Extreme individualism does not regard others. It's self-isolated. Narcissism is said to be the coated form of extreme individualism - a narcissist.
Individualism
Some related words for individualism are self-independence, self-reliance, self-care, self-esteem, self-freedom, self-direction. In individualism, there's no external influence or control. One is self-directed, and have full authority over oneself - a personal decision-maker. The concept of individualism emphasizes the intrinsic worth of the individual. Individualism, in itself, is not bad, but rxtreme or hyper individualism is bad. Extreme individualism is anti-social just like when we talk about "extreme nationalism" which has led to the formation of different ideologies like Fascism, Nazism, etc.
The ideals of individualism has led to individual creativity, technological innovation and other things that are helpful to humanity. The theories, ideologies, or philosophies of individualism led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 after the Second World War by the United Nations Organization (UNO).
The opposite of individualism is "collectivism" which means living and accepting other people or persons. It involves living in community, state, nation, continent and globe with others. Collectivism promotes "collective responsibility" for national, intercontinental and international Peace, unity, solidarity and development.
Individuality
Individuality, as a concept, is seen as an expression of individualism. Individuality is personal traits. The uniqueness of one distinguishes him or her from others. Individuality breeds competition; and when unchecked, breeds unhealthy competition. Individuality singles one out from and among the crowd in defence of humanity and humanness of all races.
In the midst of collectiveness, togetherness, intercollectivity, interconnectedness, brotherhood and sisterhood, individuality should never beclouded. Within the Afro-communalism, egalitarianism, communalism, authenticity and freedom of individual should be singled out by the expression individuality - individual participation and sustainability. An individual is not meant to be swallowed by the community norms and obligations as often observed within African traditional society. African traditional society oftentimes suppresses individual opinions and capacity of self-expressions.
Ideal-Africanism and individuality
Ideal-Africanism acknowledges and promotes the authenticity, freedom and intrinsic existence of individual within the togetherness, interconnected and collective existence, anchored highly on the humanitarian and incorruptibleness of ideal-Africansist(s).
Africa, having over the decades, lived and witnessed the philosophy of Nyerere's ujamaa, Afro-communalism, Afro-egalitarianism, Nkrumah's consciencism, Tony Elumelu's Africapitalism and other African philosophies or ideologies, is still submerged within the Western neocolonialism, imperialism and other colonial structural strangulation, dehumanization, discrimination, cultural hegemony and trans-Atlantic policies This is where the Philosophy of Ideal-Africanism (and Ideal-Africanist as an incorruptible African person), plays a significant role to protect and project unity, peace, solidarity and development across the globe.
Ideal-globalism and individuality:
An ideal-globalist is not tied to any creed, religion, culture or tribe. He or she is a freethinker of/for humanity tied to the intrinsic and ontological nature of humanity and worth of human person.
It extends its global role and commitment to building and promoting global community of peace, unity, solidarity and development; building bridges of peace against war and conflicts across the globe.
Both ideal-Africanist and/or ideal-globalist lives above board, above corruption in all its ramifications or dimensions within and outside of its confinement; lives above all stages of corruption be it national, intercontinental and international levels of corruption. He or she lives above fascism, Nazism or any other ideology or philosophy that's anti-humanism.
We have to live and work within the confines of the Philosophy of Ideal-Africanism and Ideal-globalism for the benefit of human race, global peace, unity, solidarity and development.
...Matthew Ike Obijekwu, PhD is a public affairs commentator. NNL.
