NATIONALISM, AFRICAN NATIONALISM AND DECOLONISATION

Nationalism per-se is a strong devotion to one's nation usually manifesting itself through patriotic feelings, efforts and principles. It is a force of change or powerful idea that can drive men and women of a given state or nation to action in order to achieve their well-being.

People long to decide for their own destiny because of nationalism. Therefore, nationalism is a desire by people of a given nation to govern themselves without external or foreign influence. It puts the welfare of the state over and above everything else.

This means that nationalism is loyalty and devotion to one's nation. It is regarded as a duty and includes pride in the nation's culture, history and the desire for national independence.

However, a political independence without control of the economy is not complete freedom if a country is to be independent of foreign influence and interference. The economic sub- structure determines the socio-political super-structure of society.