Development of Freedom (Uhuru) Ideology and the Inspirations of the Nationalist Ideological Movements in Kenya and South Korea

Abstract

This article traces the origin of nationalistic movements in Kenyan and South Korean history and examined factors which inspired nationalism movements in both countries. For example, it established that in Kenya, the desire and thirst for freedom/independence and the development of freedom (Uhuru) ideology were some of the factors that inspired nationalism movements. In South Korea, various theories (defend orthodoxy, eastern learning movement, and ban heterodoxy) which emancipated from 19^th century by some individuals played major roles in inspiring and motivating Koreans people not only to join nationalistic movements, but, to strengthen such movements. In both countries, the political terrains were coated with several ideological colors which manifested themselves in different phases even as the two countries were going through different transitional experiences. As opposed to Park Chung-hee's radical revolutionist ideologist reflected on his foreign policy which also were highly tied towards the US and were subject to Washington's demand, Kenya's ideological movements were cautious, a fact that was reflected on how the country formulated its foreign policy. For instance, Kenya opted for the moderate view and shun out extreme rhetoric which many other newly independent African countries chose. This article traces the root of the freedom ideologies (uhuru) and their inspirations in both countries.