Aristotelian political philosophy and its implications for contemporary Ghana

Authors

  • Isaac Boaheng Christian Service University College, Ghana, Research Fellow, University of the Free State, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25273/she.v4i1.15771

Keywords:

Aristotle, Ghana, Politics, State

Abstract

No human society if free from socio-political challenges. However, developing countries tend to face more challenges than developed ones. Ghana is a West-African country that faces a lot of socio-political challenges such as poverty, poor infrastructure, local currency depreciation, high inflation, corruption, and high unemployment rate, among others. This paper used a literature-based research approach to explore what political lessons Ghana can learn from the political philosophy of Aristotle. The study draws political lessons for Ghana based on three thematic areas; namely, the reality of diversity and the need for political inclusiveness, the need for educational reforms and community-mindedness of the citizenry. The main thesis of the paper is that political activities must be geared toward the wellbeing of the society rather than the selfish interest of political actors. The paper serves as a foundation upon which a more detailed and comprehensive political theology could be formulated for Ghana and Africa at large

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Anane-Agyei, O. (2017). Selected

Speeches of Dr. K. A Buisia: Prime Minister of Ghana (1969-1972). Accra: Abibrem Communications.

Ango, SP and Esther Rutoro. (2020).

Education.†In African Public Theology. Edited by Sunday Bobai Agang, Dion A. Forster and H. Jurgens Hendriks, pp. 143-155. Carlisle: HippoBooks.

Aristotle. (2013). Aristotle's Politics.

Second Edition. Translated by Carnes Lord. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Asante, E. (2007). Culture, Politics and

Development: Ethical and Theological Reflections on the Ghanaian Experience. Accra: Combert Impressions.

Asante, E. (2010). Unity in Difference.

Belarus: Printcorp.

Boix, Carles and Susan Carol Stokes (eds).

(2007). The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Oxford: Oxford Universoty Press.

Cohen, DE. (2009). Nelson Mandela: A

Life in Photographs. New York: Sterling Publish Co., Inc.

Elecbi, Maraizu. (2018). “Critical Analysis

of Aristotle's Conception of Politics.†South-South Journal of Humanities and international Studies, 187-213.

Gyesi, ZK. (2021). “Literacy rate now 69.8

per cent.†Graphic Online. [Accessed from: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/literacy-rate-now-69-8-per-cent. On 12th January, 2023]

Halper, EC. (2007). “Aristotle and the

Liberal State.†In Aristotle’s Politics Today. Edited by Lenn E. Goodman and Robert B. Talisse. Albany: State University of New York Press.

Iwe, NSS. (1985). Christianity, culture and

colonialism in Africa. Port Harcourt: Department of Religious Studies.

Kraut, R. (2002). Aristotle: Political

Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Mijuskovic, OZ. (2016). “Aristotle’s

Concept of the state.†Socrates 4(4): 13-20.

Rule, AK. (1960) Baker Dictionary of

Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. s.v. “Toleration.â€

Tetlow, EM. (2005). Women, Crime and

Punishment in Ancient Law and Society: Volume 2: Ancient Greece. New York: Continuum

Downloads

Published

2023-01-31

Issue

Section

Articles