Le système politique selon Spinoza et le devenir des états de l’Afrique francophone

Abstract

The present work entitled: “The political system according to Spinoza and the future of the States of French-speaking Africa” made a critical analysis of the situation in French- speaking Africa in the light of Spinoza's Political Treatise written in 1677. This thesis analysed the question of the political organisation of French-speaking African States with a view to establishing a federal system based on African Cultures. But, as a prelude, it is precisely a question of showing how Spinoza's political system could contribute to a better political organisation of French-speaking African states. The political system according to Spinoza is structured in three dimensions. The first dimension is anthropological and it consists in taking human nature into account politically. This natural power cannot be taken away from man. According to Spinozist naturalist principles, this natural power is the very power of God. In the Spinozist monism God and Nature are “One”. The second dimension is devoted to the study of Scripture. The Dutch philosopher systematically and methodically deconstructs sacred texts. According to him, theologians have obviously refused rational teaching to feeble-minded men. This is how Spinoza proposes to separate theology from philosophy. Finally, in the third dimension which is political, Spinoza prefers democracy, a constitution of freedom, but this regime excludes women, children and slaves, they are under the authority of the other-self, according to the philosopher. But the Spinozist political system carries within it ontological and political insufficiencies. In this system, knowledge’s human being is limited and the only possible knowledge is experience and good conduct. God remains inaccessible by means of reason then, he is not responsible for the future of man. The finality of research is therefore to contribute to the solution of the problems that undermine the development of French-speaking states by establishing the African-type federal system. Indeed, this establishment of the enclosure which is the federal state of the African type, must necessarily be accompanied by a humanist political framework