From ideologies to practice: A political ecology approach to green transitions–The case of Tanzania's Ujamaa sustainability communities

Abstract

Sustainable living is a core construct within the global green movement. Envisioning a more environmentally conscious future for Earth, the green movement denounces high consumption lifestyles and fossil fuel dependence. Like other nations, African countries are increasingly joining the green movement by trying to pursue low-carbon growth and sustainable development. So far, this green transition has been easier said than done. For the most part, capacity gaps and non-compliance among local populations and special interest groups within countries persist for various reasons. Green transitions thus constitute a complex meshwork of ideologies, policies, and practices that need further exploration in the development literature. Whereas previous studies have focused on the econometrics of green transitions, this study takes a political ecology approach. Utilizing a qualitative historical case study and content analysis, this article examines key factors that impact the realization of this proposed green future for the African continent. The historical case analyzed is the Ujamaa policy and communities (Ujamaa Villages) established by the government of Tanzania between 1967 and 1985. The findings of this study suggest that despite the promise of a more just, sustainable, and eco-friendly future, embedded colonial legacies, hypercapitalist markets, and neoliberal values often undermine the implementation of programs and projects that are needed to jump-start and maintain green transitions, particularly in natural resource-dependent post-colonial societies. Shaped by these ideological and socio-ecological paradoxes, government interests, media portrayals, and public choices are often antagonistic to sustainability practices. This article further highlights the intricate interplay between political ideology, development economics, social-environmental movements, and land use ecology in Africa and the wider Global South.