Page 109 - CONSCIENCISM By Kwame Nkrumah_Neat

102 CONSCIENCISM CONSCIENCISM !O3
attempts to disinherit the people and constitute itself their con­ colonialist country, with the primary object of the metropolitan
science and their will, if not their voice and their arm. Political economic advantages, it is essential that a liberated territory should
decisions, just as they were before independence was won, lose not bind her economy to that ofthe ousted rulers. The liberation of
their reference to the of the people, and serve once again a people institutes principles which enjoin the recognition and
the well-being and security ofthe erstwhile colonial power and the destruction of imperialistic domination, whether it is political,
ofself-centred politicians. economic, social or cultural. To destroy imperialistic domination
Any oblique attempt ofa foreign power to thwart, balk, corrupt in these forms, political, economic, social and cultural action must
or otherwise pervert the true independence ofa sovereign people is always have reference to the needs and nature of the liberated
neo-colonialist. It is neo-colonialist because it seeks, notwithstand­ territory, and it is from these needs and nature that the action
ing the acknowledged sovereignty ofa people, to subordinate their must derive authenticity. Unless this self-reference is
interests to those ofa foreign power. maintained, a liberated territory will welcome with open arms
A colonialist co lIDtry can in fact offer independence to a people, the foe which it has sought to destroy at cost of terrible
not with the intention which such an act might be thoughtto imply, suffering.
but in the hope that the positive and progressive forces thus The true welfare of a people does not admit of compromise. If
appeased and quietened, the people might be exploited with we compromise on the true interest ofour people, the people must
greater serenity and comfort. one day judge us, for it is with their effort and their sacriflce, with
Neo-colonialism is a danger to independent cOUlmies their forbearance and their denial, that independence is won.
than is colonialism. Colonialism is crude, essentially overt, and apt Independence once won, it is possible to rule against the erstwhile
to be overcome by a purposeful concert ofnational effort. In neo­ colonial power, but it is not really possible to rule against the wish
colonialism, however, the people are divided from their leaders and interest ofthe people.
and, instead of providing true leadership and guidance which is The people are the backbone of positive action. It is by
informed at every point by the ideal ofthe general welfare, leaders people's effort that colonialism is routed, it is by the sweat of the
come to neglect the very people who put them in power people's brow that nations are built. The people are the reality of
incautiously become instruments of suppression on behalf of national greatness. It is the people who suffer the depredations and
neo-colonialists. indignities ofcolonialism, and the people must not be insulted by
It is far easier for the proverbial camel to pass through the dangerous flirtations with neo-colonialism.
needle's eye, hump and all, than for an erstwhile colonial ad­ There is a fundamental law ofthe evolution ofmatter to higher
ministration to give sound and honest counsel ofapolitical nature to forms. This evolution is dialectical. And it is also the fundamental
its liberated territory. To allow a foreign country, especially one law ofsociety. It is out oftension that being is born. Becoming is a
which is loaded with economic interests in our continent, to tell us tension, and being is the child ofthat tension ofopposed forces and
what political decisions to take, what political courses to follow, is tendencies.
indeed for us to hand back our independence to the oppressor on a Just as in the physical universe, the moving object is always
silver platter. impressed upon by external forces, any motion is in fact a resultant,
Likewise, since the motivation ofcolonialism, whatever protean so in society every development, every progressive motion, is a
forms it may take, is well and truly economic, colonialism itself resultant ofunharmonious forces, a resultant, a triumph ofpositive
being but the institution of political bonds fastening colonies to a action over negative action.