The challenge of nation-building: neo-humanism and politics in Zambia 1967-1969

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Periodical article

Title:	The challenge of nation-building: neo-humanism and politics in Zambia 1967-1969
Author:	Soremekun, Fola
Year:	1970
Periodical:	Genève-Afrique: acta africana
Volume:	9
Issue:	1
Pages:	3-41
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zambia
Subjects:	political conditions socialism
Abstract:	Kaunda's 'Humanism', based on the ideas of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, has been either not understood or totally misunderstood by the Zambia's in its meaning and scope. 'Humanism' seems clear only to Kaunda. His actions show a wide discrepancy between moralism and practical politics. When confonted with a situation in which reason of state predominates, Kaunda simply jettisons the moral aspects of his ideas. This fact tends to make his actions appear hypocritical in the light of morality, the only popularly inderstood yardstick of his Humanism. Sometimes, under the cloak of moralistic Humanism, Kaunda has been known to make shrewd political moves. Able to rationalise the seemingly conflicting demands of moralism and hard-headed politicking, Kaunda has shown that both can jibe as long as each is kept in its proper perspective. Ref.