The puzzle of domination in society : seeking solutions in the African context

Madonko, Thokozile

Title: The puzzle of domination in society : seeking solutions in the African context
Creator: Madonko, Thokozile
Subject: Rosen, Michael. On voluntary servitude
Subject: Fanon, Frantz, 1925-1961
Subject: Fanon, Frantz, 1925-1961 -- Political and social views
Subject: Biko, Steve, 1946-1977
Subject: Ideology
Subject: Black people -- Race identity
Subject: Ideology -- Psychological aspects
Subject: Ideology -- Sociological aspects
Subject: Power (Social sciences)
Subject: Consciousness
Subject: Racism
Date Issued: 2006
Date: 2006
Type: Thesis
Type: Masters
Type: MA
Identifier: vital:2855
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007260
Identifier: Rosen, Michael. On voluntary servitude
Identifier: Fanon, Frantz, 1925-1961
Identifier: Fanon, Frantz, 1925-1961 -- Political and social views
Identifier: Biko, Steve, 1946-1977
Identifier: Ideology
Identifier: Black people -- Race identity
Identifier: Ideology -- Psychological aspects
Identifier: Ideology -- Sociological aspects
Identifier: Power (Social sciences)
Identifier: Consciousness
Identifier: Racism
Description: The presence of human destitution, impoverishment and degradation in the midst of plenty has puzzled social thinkers for millennia. One of the oldest and grandest of theories: the theory of ideology attempts to provide an answer to the puzzle of domination in society. Michael Rosen, in his book On Voluntary Servitude (1996), argues that the solution provided by the theory of ideology is problematic. Furthermore, on the basis of his critique, Rosen argues that we should abandon the theory of ideology and consider alternatives to it. Even though many contemporary academics have turned away from the theory of ideology, because they view it as an imprisoning meta-theory, this study explores the possibility of there being a meta-theory that could help us to make sense of the world. Through an examination of Rosen's critique this thesis shows that Rosen is too quick in his dismissal of the theory of ideology because he fails to consider that a revised functionalist theory of ideology can be expanded to account for the mechanism(s) that ensure that, over time, the society in question acquires ideological consciousness to further its welfare. This thesis shows that Rosen is correct in his criticism of the theory of ideology's explanation of domination because the content, history and social effects of ideological consciousness cannot be fully explained in terms of their role in promoting or stabilising relations of domination. In light of Rosen's criticism the thesis shows that if one provides both an explanation of the psychological motivations of individuals and of the nature of the oppressive society in which they find themselves then what I call an integrated theory of ideology can be developed. In order to illustrate the importance of an integrated theory of ideology the study moves away from high-level theoretical abstraction to concrete social analyses, focusing on the work of Frantz Fanon and Steve Biko and their explanations of domination. The reason this study focuses on their work is because in their role as social scientists, Fanon and Biko provided a powerful critique of colonial, post-colonial and neo-colonial society. It will be argued that Fanon and Biko were able to provide a lasting critique of colonial reality because they offered their critique within the framework of such an integrated theory. Consequently, this study argues that, as Fanon and Biko's work illustrate, an integrated theory of ideology qua critical theory ought not to be abandoned because it is crucial for understanding and resisting forms of oppression that exist in the world today.
Format: 167 pages
Format: pdf
Publisher: Rhodes University
Publisher: Faculty of Humanities, Political and International Studies
Language: English
Rights: Madonko, Thokozile

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