What exactly is original and innovative about a philosophical discussion—such as the one in this book—on the basic structure of the postcolonial African state? In responding to the above question, this chapter makes the following points. It clarifies and reiterates that the fundamental question the book asks is ‘what is the basic structure of the postcolonial African state?’ It is this question that shapes the scope and contents of the book. John Rawls originally dealt with the question of the basic structure but within the framework of Western liberalism rather than African communitarianism and from an ideal theory approach rather than non-ideal theory approach. So, to deal with the basic structure of the postcolonial African state, the book takes its cue from Rawls and adopts the ideal theory approach but combines it with non-ideal theory. Then, it simultaneously juxtaposes its position with Rawls’s position and juxtaposes African communitarianism with Western liberalism. The originality of the book lies in adapting Rawls’ conception of the basic structure of Western liberal society to African communitarian society, and then drawing insights from African philosophers to explain what the basic structure of African society is and what it ought to be.