Tracing Matolino’s Basis of a New Afro-Communitarian Political Theory of Democracy

Abstract

Bernard Matolino is one of the outstanding philosophers who left an indelible mark on the development of African philosophy. In his philosophical works, Matolino has mainly focused on the idea of personhood in African philosophy, a critique of (African) communitarianism, a critique of ubuntu as a form of communitarianism, democracy and consensus in Africa, rights in African communitarianism, among other areas of philosophy. Although Matolino has made significant contributions in the area of African metaphysics, especially the concept of personhood, this appears to be a preparation for his current focus on African political theory, which various forms of the African experience have triggered. The African experience includes such problems as injustice, racism (racialism), same-sex unions, xenophobia and democracy in Africa.

Keywords

• african political philosophy
• democracy
• limited communitarianism
• african philosophy
• bernard matolino