203 The Postcolonial Studies

 

Decolonization and Class Struggle: 

A Marxist Reading of Fanon's Theory

Name: Trupti Naik

Batch: M.A Sem 3[2023-25]

Enrollment Number : 5108230028

Roll number: 25 

E-mail Address: nayaktrupti188@gmail.com

Assignment details:- 

Topic: Decolonization and Class Struggle: A Marxist Reading of Fanon's Theory

Paper: 203 The Postcolonial Studies

Subject code: 20408

Submitted to:- S.B. Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar

Abstract

Frantz Fanon's "The Wretched of the Earth" offers a unique and compelling interpretation of the post-colonial struggle, drawing upon Marxist principles while also diverging from them in crucial ways. This detailed analysis explores Fanon's theory of decolonization and its relationship with class struggle, highlighting the parallels and divergences between Fanon's approach and traditional Marxism.

Keywords: Frantz Fanon, Marxism, Decolonization, Class Struggle, Race, Violence, Peasantry, Nationalism, Post-Colonial Challenges

Introduction

Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth is a groundbreaking work that analyses the complex relationship between colonialism, decolonization, and class struggle. Published in 1961, it remains a key text for understanding the psychological and political effects of colonization, the dynamics of revolutionary violence, and the role of class in the struggle for liberation. Fanon, influenced by Marxist theory, provides a profound critique of colonialism that goes beyond traditional anti-colonial arguments to explore how colonialism shapes social and economic hierarchies within colonized societies. This essay will examine Fanon’s theory of decolonization through the lens of Marxist thought, focusing on the intersection of class struggle and the process of decolonization.

Fanon’s engagement with Marxism

There have been many strands of Marxist thought and most black revolutionaries have engaged with them at some level. Those removing this strand from engagements with Fanon weakens our understanding of his legacy. Fanon in particular never regarded himself as a Marxist, but he engaged with Marxists and Marxist ideas. His fully justified resentment of the French Communist Party was based on its failure to support Algerian independence and thus to challenge the racism of French society.

Several writers who have recently revisited Fanon, including Leo Zeilig and Peter Hudis, have constructively engaged with these strands of his thinking without ever suggesting that he was a Marxist in disguise. Peter Hudis comments that when Fanon says in Wretched of the Earth, ‘A Marxist analysis should always be slightly stretched when it comes to addressing the colonial issue’, his point is that it is ‘Slightly stretched, but not rejected or abandoned. Fanon never ceases to remind his readers that anti-black racism is deeply rooted in the structure of capitalist class society and cannot be understood apart from it.’ (ROAPE #)

Divergences from Marxism

However, Fanon's thought also departs from classical Marxism in several significant ways. While he acknowledged the centrality of class conflict, Fanon insisted that the colonial situation could not be fully understood or addressed through a traditional Marxist class analysis alone.

Firstly, Fanon challenged the Marxist notion of the inevitability of the bourgeois phase of development in colonized societies. He argued that the conditions of colonialism had prevented the emergence of a robust national bourgeoisie capable of leading a bourgeois-democratic revolution. Instead, Fanon believed that the colonial powers had actively suppressed the development of a domestic capitalist class, rendering the Marxian model of historical progression inapplicable.

Secondly, Fanon placed greater emphasis on the role of race and racism in shaping the colonial experience. He recognized that the juxtaposition of the colonized and the colonizer was not merely a class struggle, but a profound psycho-existential conflict rooted in the dehumanization and racialization of the colonized. This led Fanon to depart from the Marxist conception of class as the primary axis of social antagonism.

Thirdly, Fanon diverged from Marx in his assessment of the revolutionary potential of the various social strata within the colonial context. While Marx saw the urban proletariat as the vanguard of the revolution, Fanon believed that the peasantry and the lumpenproletariat (the urban poor and marginalized) possessed greater revolutionary zeal and capacity for action. This shift in emphasis reflected Fanon's recognition of the unique dynamics of the colonial situation.

The Revolutionary Role of Violence 

Fanon's theory of revolution, as outlined in "The Wretched of the Earth," is perhaps his most controversial and influential contribution. He argued that violence was not only a necessary means to achieve decolonization but also a therapeutic and unifying force for the colonized people. Fanon believed that violence could liberate the colonized from their "inferiority complex" and restore their self-respect and dignity.

Fanon's advocacy of violence was rooted in his analysis of the resilient nature of colonial power. He recognized that colonial regimes were not willing to relinquish their control without a prolonged and violent struggle. Inspired by the successes of guerrilla movements in various parts of the world, Fanon saw armed struggle as the most effective way to unsettle the colonial armies and initiate the process of liberation.

Nationalism, Internationalism, and the Post-Revolutionary Trajectory In "The Wretched of the Earth," Fanon's theory of nationalism and internationalism also diverged from the Marxian perspective. While Marx saw "bourgeois nationalism" as a temporary step towards internationalism, Fanon argued that nationalism was a necessary foundation for genuine internationalism. He believed that national consciousness was the only way to achieve an "international dimension" in the struggle against imperialism.

In his vision of the post-revolutionary society, as presented in "The Wretched of the Earth," Fanon rejected the notion of a "dictatorship of the proletariat." Instead, he advocated for a decentralized, democratic system that would prevent the development of a "bourgeois caste" within the revolutionary movement. Fanon recognized the ongoing nature of the struggle, emphasizing that the liberation of the individual must continue even after national liberation.

Fanon's Critique of Marxism and the Unique Challenges of the Third World Throughout "The Wretched of the Earth," Fanon articulates his critique of the limitations of orthodox Marxism in the context of the Third World. He argues that the Marxian developmental sequence and class analysis are "totally inadequate" in the colonial and postcolonial settings.

Fanon contends that the Third World differs from Europe in several key ways. Firstly, the two-class analysis of Marx proves insufficient, as the status of the "foreigner" and "conqueror" presents a unique form of undifferentiated oppression. Secondly, the Marxian dialectic is not applicable, as there is no true bourgeois class capable of creating the conditions for the development of a large-scale proletariat and a national culture.

Decolonization as a Revolutionary Act

Fanon views decolonization as an inherently violent and transformative process. For Fanon, decolonization is not merely a political act of gaining independence from colonial powers; it is a total restructuring of the social, economic, and political systems that uphold colonial rule. Drawing from Marxist revolutionary theory, Fanon argues that the process of liberation requires the destruction of the colonial system through revolutionary violence. This violence is not an act of blind rage but a necessary tool for overturning the entrenched power structures that maintain colonial domination.

In his view, the violence of the colonized is a form of self-liberation. It is through this violent revolt that the colonized reclaim their agency and dignity, breaking free from the psychological shackles imposed by colonialism. For Fanon, the act of rebellion is an act of class struggle, where the oppressed working class and peasants rise up to dismantle both the political power of the colonizer and the economic systems that support them. This revolutionary violence is, therefore, part of a broader Marxist struggle for class equality, where the ultimate goal is not simply the removal of colonial power but the creation of a new society where class divisions are abolished.

The Centrality of the Peasantry and the Lumpenproletariat

Another significant departure from Marxism is Fanon's elevated role for the peasantry and the lumpenproletariat (the urban poor and marginalized) in the revolutionary process. While Marx focused on the urban industrial proletariat as the vanguard of the revolution, Fanon believed that in the colonial context, the peasantry and the lumpenproletariat were the truly revolutionary forces.

Fanon argued that the urban proletariat in the colonies had become "bourgeoisified" and were more concerned with preserving their relatively privileged position than with overthrowing the colonial system. In contrast, the peasantry and the lumpenproletariat, who had been subjected to the most extreme forms of exploitation and dehumanization, possessed a greater revolutionary consciousness and willingness to engage in armed struggle.

Fanon's emphasis on the revolutionary potential of the rural masses and the urban poor reflected his understanding of the unique dynamics of the colonial situation. He recognized that the colonial economy had systematically marginalized and impoverished these groups, making them the most receptive to the radical messages of anti-colonial nationalism.

Class Struggle Within the Colonized Nation

Fanon’s focus on class struggle extends beyond the external oppression of the colonizer. He also highlights the internal class struggles that exist within the colonized society. While the colonized population as a whole suffers under colonial rule, Fanon points out that there are divisions within the colonized society itself. The native bourgeoisie, who often have close ties with the colonizers, becomes an obstacle to true liberation. They are interested in maintaining their privileged position within the colonial system and are often reluctant to support a revolutionary movement that threatens their economic and social status.

In The Wretched of the Earth, Fanon critiques this class of native elites, arguing that they are more concerned with gaining power for themselves rather than achieving genuine social and economic equality for the entire population. This group often tries to negotiate with the colonizers for a share of the power rather than challenging the entire colonial system. For Fanon, the native bourgeoisie is a class that serves the interests of imperialism, and true decolonization can only occur when this class is displaced by the revolutionary working class and peasantry.

This class dynamic within the colonized nations makes decolonization even more complex. While the masses of workers and peasants are the primary agents of revolutionary change, they must struggle not only against the colonizers but also against the local elites who, by virtue of their position in the colonial system, often work to maintain the status quo. Fanon’s Marxist analysis underscores the importance of class solidarity among the oppressed and warns against the dangers of a revolution that fails to address internal class divisions.

The Role of the Revolutionary Intellectuals

Fanon also discusses the role of intellectuals in the decolonization process. In a Marxist framework, intellectuals are often seen as the bearers of revolutionary consciousness. They play a crucial role in educating the masses about their exploitation and organizing them for collective action. However, Fanon is critical of certain types of intellectuals within the colonized world. He argues that many intellectuals from the native bourgeoisie, despite being educated in Western institutions, remain disconnected from the realities of the working class and peasants. These intellectuals often adopt Western values and perspectives, and their vision of independence may be shaped by the interests of the bourgeoisie rather than the proletariat.

Fanon emphasizes that true revolutionary intellectuals must align themselves with the working-class masses and must help to shape a vision of decolonization that addresses the material needs and aspirations of the people. They must act as catalysts for the revolutionary process, ensuring that the struggles of the oppressed are articulated within the context of broader class struggle. For Fanon, intellectuals have an important role in advancing the Marxist analysis of colonialism and in guiding the masses towards the goal of true social and economic liberation.

Decolonization and the Aftermath

While Fanon is clear about the need for revolutionary violence in the process of decolonization, he also addresses the challenges faced after the overthrow of the colonial power. In The Wretched of the Earth, he argues that the post-colonial period is fraught with dangers, particularly when it comes to the question of class struggle. One of the main dangers, as Fanon sees it, is the risk of the revolution being co-opted by the native bourgeoisie, who may take control of the state apparatus and fail to enact meaningful social change.

Fanon’s Marxist reading of decolonization therefore involves not only the removal of colonial rulers but also the creation of a new social order where class divisions are abolished. This, according to Fanon, can only be achieved through the active participation of the working class and peasants in the ongoing revolutionary process. If the revolution fails to address the internal class struggles and to create a truly egalitarian society, it risks perpetuating the very inequalities that it sought to overthrow.

The Post-Revolutionary Challenges

Fanon's analysis of the post-revolutionary situation also diverged from the Marxist vision. While Marx's writings on the "future society" were often characterized as utopian and lacking in concrete details, Fanon was more attuned to the challenges that would arise in the wake of colonial rule.

Fanon recognized that the liberation of the individual did not automatically follow national liberation. He emphasized the need for an "authentic" national liberation, one that would address the deep-seated psychological and cultural impacts of colonialism on the colonized. Fanon was wary of the potential for a "bourgeois caste" to emerge within the post-colonial state, cautioning against the concentration of power and the exclusion of the masses from the decision-making process.

In contrast to the Marxist notion of the "dictatorship of the proletariat," Fanon advocated for a decentralized, democratic approach to post-colonial governance. He believed that the party and the state should remain closely tied to the grassroots and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people, rather than becoming a detached bureaucratic apparatus.

Conclusion

Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth offers a powerful Marxist critique of colonialism and its relationship to class struggle. For Fanon, decolonization is a violent and revolutionary process that involves the destruction of both colonial political systems and the capitalist economic structures that support them. Fanon’s analysis of the native bourgeoisie as an obstacle to genuine liberation highlights the need for class struggle within the colonized nation, and he stresses the importance of aligning revolutionary intellectuals with the working-class masses to achieve true social change. Ultimately, Fanon’s theory underscores the idea that decolonization is not only about achieving political independence but also about radically transforming society to ensure social and economic equality.

By examining Fanon’s work through a Marxist lens, we can understand that decolonization is deeply intertwined with the struggle for class equality, and the process of liberation is incomplete without addressing the underlying class structures that sustain both colonial and post-colonial oppression. In this way, Fanon’s work remains a crucial resource for understanding the complexities of decolonization and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in post-colonial societies.

References:

Burke, Edmund. “Frantz Fanon’s ‘The Wretched of the Earth.’” Daedalus, vol. 105, no. 1, 1976, pp. 127–35. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20024388. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. United Kingdom, Grove Atlantic, 2007.

Forsythe, Dennis. “Frantz Fanon -- The Marx of the Third World.” Phylon (1960-), vol. 34, no. 2, 1973, pp. 160–70. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/273824. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

ROAPE. “Fanon, Marx and Black Liberation.” 2019. https://roape.net/2019/10/15/fanon-marx-and-black-liberation/.

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