The Wretched of the Earth

by

Frantz Fanon

The Wretched of the Earth: Chapter 3: The Trials and Tribulations... Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
National consciousness, Fanon says, is not “the coordinated crystallization of the people’s innermost aspirations.” Rather, it is “a crude, empty, fragile shell.” There are cracks in national consciousness, and it can quickly degrade from nation, to ethnic groups, to the state, and then to tribe. This deterioration, according to Fanon, is harmful to the developing nation. The problems with national consciousness can be overwhelmingly attributed to the national bourgeoisie
The national consciousness is not one stable, crystalized thing—it is pliable, impressionable, and rapidly building in a developing nation. The national consciousness must reflect the nation, not a single ethic group, state, or tribe. To degrade the national consciousness to any one of these things is to destroy it. 
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
In a newly independent nation, the national bourgeoisie takes power after the exit of the colonial power, but the bourgeoisie is underdeveloped and inexperienced. The business elite and university graduates who make up the national bourgeoisie are small in number and concentrated in cities, but they are not industrialists, nor are they financiers. They don’t produce anything or invent anything, and they do very little actual work.  
In Fanon’s view, the national bourgeoisie does nothing productive for the nation, yet they are driving the politics and the economy. In developed nations, the bourgeoisie still drives society, but they are more experienced. The newly colonized, however, do not have this experience, and they quickly run the new nation into the ground.
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
Quotes
The main job of the national bourgeoisie in an underdeveloped country is to reject their status as bourgeois and dedicate themselves to the peasant masses they represent. An authentic national bourgeoisie should leave their city vocation and go to the masses to learn from the people, and they should in turn teach the masses what they have learned in Western universities. This “heroic and positive path,” Fanon says, is the best way for the national bourgeoisie to remain helpful to the nation as a whole. 
Of course, the national bourgeoisie does not do this, because to do so would mean to abandon their cushy Westernized lives. In this way, Fanon implies that the national bourgeoisie are neither “heroic” nor “positive,” and are therefore a completely destructive part of society and serve no real, useful purpose.  
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
As they are underdeveloped like their nation, the national bourgeoisie knows nothing about actual economics. Their knowledge is purely theoretical, and the economy they support is limited and based on local products. Under such economic plans, the national bourgeoisie make substantial profits while the people suffer. As the national bourgeoisie has limited skills, they are restricted in which colonial businesses they can take over after the exit of the colonial power. However, they take over every position they can, and they work capitalism and economics to their own best interest, creating a system of neocolonialism. At a psychological level, the national bourgeoisie identifies more with the Western bourgeoisie than with their own people. The national bourgeoisie mimics the Western bourgeoisie, sliding right into their place. However, nation building, Fanon says, is not about “taking short cuts.”
Here, Fanon implies that the national bourgeoisie’s attempt to slide into the colonial power’s place and run the nation in the exact same way is a “short cut.” Decolonizing is to dismantle the entire colonial situation, Fanon argues, not to keep what suits them and get rid of what doesn’t. Of course, since Fanon argues that nation building does involve keeping open Western channels of economics, this weakens his argument a bit. However, Fanon’s argument is clear: the power of the national bourgeoisie mimics that of the colonists, and thus, it is still colonialism and is not progress.  
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
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The national bourgeoisie, like the Western bourgeoisie, develops an economy based on tourism, including “exoticism, hunting, and casinos.” There are resorts and playgrounds, and soon tourism is a national industry. Casinos, like in Havana and Rio, saturate the landscape, and young Brazilian and Mexican girls are sold as well. 
Tourism is a huge trade in formerly colonized nations, and it, too, is another form of neocolonialism. Cities are still full of foreigners, and the indigenous are exploited in the process, as they are frequently placed in service positions to white people.
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
Landowners behave in much the same way as the national bourgeoisie. Soon after independence, the large farmers call for the nationalization of all agricultural holdings. They take over the farms that had been owned by the colonists, and they gain control over the region. The landowners exploit farm workers and are not interested in increasing their production or integrating into a national economy.
Ironically, the landowners want agriculture nationalized, meaning they want the nation to own and control it. Yet, they keep all the profits and do nothing for the nation, just like the national bourgeoisie. This, again, is more neocolonialism, only this time it is the landowners who are in control.
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
Soon after independence, the national bourgeoisie, having struggled against the racism of colonialism, call for the jobs of white lawyers, doctors, and landowners, claiming that such white workers insult the nation. They move to Africanize the managerial classes and demand all the jobs. The urban proletariat agrees with this nationalist viewpoint, but whereas the national bourgeoisie singles out white Europeans, the urban proletariat fights with other African nations. Race riots break out between indigenous tribes, and just like that, Fanon says, nationalism has changed to “ultranationalism, chauvinism, and racism.”
Ultranationalism holds importance of one tribe or state over another, which often brings out racist arguments, and this, too, is neocolonialism. In this way, whichever tribe or ethnic group holds the majority power, controls the nation, leaving all other tribes, races, and states behind. Again, Fanon argues that the nation and national consciousness must reflect the entire nation, not simply a portion of it.
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
Africanization and Arabization by the national bourgeoisie is not based in true nationalism. Rather, it is chiefly concerned with transferring power previously held by foreigners, which leads to “a depressing return to the most heinous and virulent type of chauvinism.” The national bourgeoisie, underdeveloped and inexperienced, is unable to enlighten the people or build the vision of the nation, and this leads to a return to tribalism and the rise of ethnic tensions. Colonialism, Fanon argues, does not exploit an entire nation. It focuses its efforts in urban areas and lets the peasant masses fall into complete poverty.  
The “depressing return to the most heinous and virulent type of chauvinism” is a reference to colonialism. As only one race—African or Arab—or one tribe within a single race is being represented here, this, too, turns to neocolonialism, and the nation is right back where they started. Fanon implies that the nation needs to be brought together by a single unifying force; however, the national bourgeoisie are not able to facilitate this coming together. 
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
As conflict builds between ethnic groups, religious rivalries begin to surface as well, and the two major religions—Islam and Catholicism—begin to clash. Now, Fanon claims, colonialism is “back on its feet,” as it “shamelessly pulls all these strings” and keeps a nation divided and fighting. Africa, for instance, is divided into a white and black region. White Africa is considered rich in culture and civilization, while Black Africa is “wild, savage, [and] uncivilized.” This is much like the racism imposed by the colonist, and it is rooted in the same racist philosophy. 
Religion is a major way in which colonialism exerted its power around the globe. Christian missionaries were sent to Third World nations to civilize and bring God to the people they perceived as savages, and with the religious clash seen here, the very same thing is implied. Those who support religion, especially Catholicism, will automatically see the other nonreligious individuals as innately evil and uncivilized.
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
The inadequacies of the national bourgeoisie are not limited to only economics. They achieve power through biased nationalism and incite race wars to weaken and divide the people. According to Fanon, the national bourgeoisie preach human equality and freedom, but then they demand that others rise with them to the level of the West. Therefore, true African unity can only be accomplished through the people, and with complete disregard for the bourgeoisie
Fanon points out that the national bourgeoisie believes in equality, but they also believe that the West is superior to the East in every way, which is counterproductive to their claims. Disregarding this need to rise to the Western standard can only be accomplished, Fanon argues, if the national bourgeoisie are stripped of their power.
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
The national bourgeoisie is also inept in areas of domestic politics. They have no real power, so they believe the best approach is a single-party political system. This decision doesn’t inspire confidence in the people, and the State begins to oppress and harass the masses. The national bourgeoisie continues to ignore the peasant masses and focuses only on cities. They pander to foreign capitalists and do not share any profits with the people.
A single-party political system is essentially a dictatorship, which again places the new nation in a state of neocolonialism. One person, with the interests of the national bourgeoisie in mind, has absolute power over the nation. Under this model, the peasant masses are again oppressed and exploited.
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
Soon, a popular leader is selected to both steady the regime and placate the national bourgeoisie. This “bourgeois dictatorship” is fueled by the presence of a beloved leader, and as he makes his way across the nation speaking about the oppression of colonial power, the people immediately place their trust in him. He speaks of independence and freedom for all, but he is really just looking to “be the CEO” of the national bourgeoisie and their profits. The new leader combines the interests of the national bourgeoisie with the interests of ex-colonial companies, and he is a knowing accessory in the corruption of the national bourgeoisie.  
Again, the dictator has no interest in building the nation, only the national bourgeoisie, and the peasant masses are again made to suffer. This system also closely resembles the colonial system, and is therefore, by definition, not decolonization. In this way, Fanon implies that true decolonization cannot be achieved in any form as long as the national bourgeoisie are in power. 
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
In the meantime, the former colonial power takes less trouble trying to hide the fact that they still have a hold over the national government. The new leader puts a divider between the people and the national bourgeoisie, and then he takes to supporting the bourgeoisie and hiding his efforts from the masses. Still, through his impassioned speeches, the people are fooled. Many nations have implemented such rulers, Fanon says. They usually come from the country, and they swear they speak for the black masses. The leader placates the people and refuses to break up the bourgeoisie, and each time he talks to the masses, he calls on them to remember colonial times and think about how far they have come. 
Fanon argues that it makes little difference if the colonial power is pulling the strings of oppression from abroad or from directly within the nation. In both scenarios, he implies, it is still colonialism, and it must be dismantled just like the practice of colonialism was for so many. Like the colonial power, the dictator manipulates the formerly colonized and banks on their history of struggle and war to drum up support. Furthermore, they haven’t actually come very far if they are still under a colonial system, Fanon implies.
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
Of course, Fanon says, the peasant masses aren’t able to assess how far they have come since colonialism. Their lives are much the same as they have always been—impoverished and hungry—and there has been little to no change. The police, who are now Africans, still harass them, and they are not particularly convinced that things are going that well for the nation. The rebellion, in the meantime, is losing patience. After becoming relatively immobile after independence, the rebellion is only needed for festivals and parades on Independence Day. The rebellion has done their part and helped the national bourgeoisie come to power, and now they are no longer needed.  
Those in the rebellion are completely used and thrown away when they are no longer needed, like many others under the colonial system. The rebellion was once crucial in the fight for independence, but now they man parades and festivals. Absolutely nothing has changed for the nation, except for who is in the role of oppressor, and the peasant masses are still being exploited. Again, Fanon implies that the national bourgeoisie is the enemy of the developing nation and must be removed if the nation is to progress. 
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Capitalism, Socialism, and the Third World Theme Icon
Culture and the Emerging Nation  Theme Icon
Inside the new regime of the State, corruption abounds, and morals are nonexistent. The nationalist party helps to keep the State in power over the people and society is increasingly antidemocratic. The police hold everything together, and they are trained by foreign experts. The national bourgeoisie are trained by foreign experts as well, and they take concessions and kickbacks from foreign companies.
Again, this is a colonial system in place in even the absence of the colonial power. The State is run like a colony, and the police still have a tyrannical hold over the people. There is still no equality, and the national bourgeoisie are stealing from everyone, just like the colonialists.
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
Opposition to the nationalist party becomes more apparent, and hostility toward the national bourgeoisie grows, but this affects the national bourgeoisie very little. They are concerned only with Europe and will not invest time or money into their own nation. Dissent grows in the nation, and the army is dispatched to keep order, turning society even more authoritarian. The national bourgeoisie, Fanon says, “has learned nothing from history.” To move the nation forward, the masses “should bar the way to this useless and harmful bourgeoisie” that only serves to transform into a “caricature” of Europe.  
Here, Fanon clearly asserts the harmfulness of the bourgeoisie, who seem content to impose a new system of colonialism on their people. Fanon’s use of the word “caricature” to describe the new nation implies that not only is the nation not Europe, but it is some distorted image of Europe that is essentially a joke. By trying to adopt European ways, Fanon thus implies, the new nation is destined to fail.
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
Quotes
From the beginning, the national bourgeoisie is concerned with intermediate activities. So, in order to lift the nation toward progress, the tertiary sector must be nationalized, which has been bombarded by the young national bourgeoisie. The tertiary sector is the most important by far under colonialism, and after independence, the civil servants sabotage the national economy and institutions, falling back on corruption and fraud. Buying and selling must be organized democratically in order to nationalize the tertiary sector, and all the people of a nation must be educated politically. This education should be given using plain language, and one that does not hide bourgeoisie leadership.
The tertiary sector, or the service sector of society, is important during colonialism because the colonized are in service to the colonists in a way that closely resembles slavery. By nationalizing the tertiary sector and turning control of it over to the nation—to the people—they, too, can profit from it. Of course, civil servants aren’t needed as much after the colonial power exits, which is why the sector has become corrupt in the postcolonial era. Understanding all these nuances, Fanon implies, is only possible with a political education.
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
The role of the political party in the developing nations is often a dictatorship used only to hold up the national bourgeoisie. The party is gradually transformed into an intelligence agency, and all opposition parties are rooted out, silenced, and banished. The nationalist party, which claims to work for the people, will send the people “back to their caves” as soon as the colonial power exits. Furthermore, this political party is damaging to national unity and works on a tribal basis. In many ways, it is a party made up of one ethnic group, which then claims to be national and speak the language of the people. This amounts to a “genuine ethnic dictatorship,” and instead of a bourgeoisie dictatorship, it is a tribal one. Jobs are given to those of the leader’s ethnic group, even members of his own family, and this quickly results in separatism and regionalist thinking.  
Fanon’s language that the people will be sent “back to their caves” again suggests that the people are animals or savages, and this, too, reflects the racist thinking of colonialism. The transformation of the political parties into an intelligence agency illustrates just how corrupt postcolonial society can be. Any party that might potentially upset the status quo is silenced, which suggests that the free and independent nation really isn’t so free. Once again, Fanon claims that for all the fighting, suffering, and struggling, the newly independent nation really hasn’t moved that far away from colonialism.
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
On the other hand, if a nation really wants to progress, they will need an honest party that is working for the people, not the government. The party should not be dedicated to politics, and they should not be centralized in the cities. All politicians should live in rural areas, and every effort should be made to decentralize the government. Doing so, Fanon says, is the only way to breathe life into struggling, and at times dying, regions.  
In completely dismantling the colonial situation, Fanon suggests changing everything, including the idea of a government capital in a metropolitan area. As most of the people don’t live in metropolitan areas, Fanon implies, neither should the nation’s political leaders.
Themes
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
Quotes
Rural areas should be given absolute priority in the new nation. The importance of the capital is a myth, Fanon says, and every effort should be made to increase contact with peasant masses. National policies to that affect must be implemented, as one should never neglect those who fought for independence and improved life. It is not enough just to stay in contact with the peasant masses; rather, the political party should live in close proximity to them. In order to do all of this, however, the national bourgeoisie must be taken from power.
By definition, the national bourgeoisie will not relocate to the country, as their Westernized lifestyle cannot be supported there. But, Fanon argues, this is exactly the point. As the Third World is not a Western society, it cannot be structured in such a way. Fanon further implies that to effectively led the people, one must know the people, and that can only happen if one lives with the people.
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
The peasant masses are capable of governing themselves, Fanon argues, and they do understand the political issues at hand. While it may be common for an individual to misunderstand certain issues, the masses as a whole, easily understand. Of course, political education should include plain language that is not at all technical. People become more vigilant the more they understand, Fanon argues, and they understand that wealth is made from corruption, not their hard work. In an underdeveloped country, it is not important that some understand political implications and processes, it is imperative that everyone does, even if it takes twice as long to teach. The people must know what is going on, Fanon says, and the development of their national consciousness depends on it. 
Racist colonial assumptions dictate that the peasant masses are not smart enough to grasp these political concepts, but Fanon exposes how ridiculous this assumption is. Of course the people understand—they are simply given little to no credit by the Western-minded national bourgeoisie. As the national consciousness is the identity of the entire nation, one part of the country cannot be ignored to favor another. Fanon repeatedly advocates for a political education to be given to all members of a new and struggling nation, and he favors simple language that is free from jargon and bourgeoisie influence.
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
The young people of an underdeveloped nation must be addressed, too. Young people are often idle and illiterate, and they are vulnerable to all kinds of corruptive forces, such as alcohol and R-rated movies. Thus, the government should stabilize this population as well. Young people must be kept occupied, and instead of encouraging sports, school and work should be encouraged. The people should not be looking for a hero or leader. Instead, they should be looking to elevate the people.
Fanon rejects the idea of sports because they often offer up one member or player as the most important or the most heroic. Everyone is important in a developing nation, not just one person, and this egalitarian viewpoint should be fostered instead. Fanon earlier implies that young, vulnerable kids often turn into the lumpenproletariat, a trend that could also be remedied with education. 
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
A political education does not mean a series of long speeches. To educate one politically is to open one’s mind and introduce it to the world, and it has nothing to do with speeches. Again, to make these approaches work, government must be decentralized and have the peasant masses on their side. The masses must be politicized, which will lead to making the nation a reality to everyone. If a government wants to declare itself national, then it must equally represent the entire nation.
Nation-building is a political process, Fanon implies, and the people must be educated accordingly. By educating the masses and relocating the government to the countryside to be near where the people actually live, Fanon argues that a new nation has a better chance of growing and prospering.
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
The peasant masses should be mobilized in a developing nation, and outdated traditions that favor women over men should not be given priority. The army must be nationalized as well, and the militia should be strengthened. Professional soldiers, too, are a bad idea, and career officers should be kept to a minimum. People should be placed in jobs and professions where they are needed, not put into the army to wait for a war to start. Nationalism is not political, and to foster the nation, national consciousness must take priority over social and political consciousness.
Building the nation should be first priority, Fanon claims, not building an army, which he implies is given far too much priority in Western societies. People are valuable to the nation in other ways, and those ways must be nurtured for the betterment of the nation. The nation is all about the people, and to Fanon, that is not a political idea.
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
In an underdeveloped country, the national effort must always involve the people. The national bourgeoisie will inevitably fail the people, and national politics most often lead to a “dead end.” The collective national consciousness is the “living expression of the nation,” and without it, there is chaos and oppression.
In short, Fanon claims that the way of the national bourgeoisie is a “dead end.” If the nation does not exist for the people, it is not truly a nation, which, again, only leads to neocolonialism and continued oppression.
Themes
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon