rio wrote:
Well, I suspect that the problems Africa has are extremely complicated and caused by a whole spectrum of problems some of which are the fault of Africans and some of other people.
For a start, I'm not sure how much it helps to portray Africa as a hellhole beyond salvation that has nothing going for it whatsoever, which is what a lot of people on all different sides of this argument do. Several African states are democracies, several African states have experienced economic development. Look at Botswana, for example. Maybe the whole idea that the continent is one giant fuck-up needs to be challenged.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana#EconomyQuote:
Since independence, Botswana has had one of the fastest growth rates in per capita income in the world.[2] Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $16,450 in 2007.
However I would like to discuss some of your points.
cry of the banshee wrote:
But wait, I thought that Africa was infertile, barren and so on, but now it's plight is because Whites and Asians are exploiting what the native population didn't or wouldn't or couldn't.
So, prof., explain to me why everyone else under the sun (apparently) can exploit this rich abundant continent but the natives cannot?
It is known in development academia as the "resource curse", and can be applied to far more than just Africa. Excuse all the links to Wikipedia, but I'm pressed for time and I'm sure if you want you can easily find more academic sources on the subject. Having natural resources has very often turned out to be a problem rather than a blessing for countries, for many reasons. It doesn't excuse African leaders for succumbing to it, but it should illustrate that the failure to make use of natural resources is by no means a uniquely African problem.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resource_curseOne thing that should be clear the US in particular has done is promote privatisation as a short-cut to development. Whatever you think of that idea, it should give you a big clue as to one huge reason why African governments have failed to exploit these resources- they are all owned by Shell etc. COmpanies import their own staff and their own equipment and can function in an isolated bubble whereby they export their mineral wealth with negligible contribution to the surrounding community. African leaders could be called cowards for not putting a stop to this, but bear in mind that would involve a huge diplomatic break with the US comparable to that with Venezuela under Chavez. It is not that surprising they don't have the bollocks to do it.
Quote:
And the fact that the entire infrastructure was built by outsiders and the fact that Africa recieves billions and billions of dollars a year from the very governments that are supposedly exploiting it?
It should be noted that a huge proportion of "aid" money is given in order to be spent on military equipment. For example Egypt.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2004/34425.htm$1.3 billion annual military assistance budget, with about one third of that amount being for infrasturcture etc. This is not uncommon at all. Egypt is a dictatorship with massive poverty and underdevelopment. All the vast majority of the "aid" they are given by the government does is strengthen a corrupt and oppressive system (I don't have the figures for the UK and Europe, but the principle is most likely the same)
Greetings, rio, it's been awhile since we engaged in point-counterpoint.
I, too, am short on time, so allow me a quick counterpoint:
Perhaps there are pockets of prosperity in Africa (and more power to 'em), but by and large, it is a continent in agony.
Africa's plight may be complex in as far as how it got to where it's at, true, but I can simplify it: The big fish always eats the little fish, on and on, world without end.
It's way of the world, A child is born with a heart of gold
The way of the world makes his heart grow cold, etc., etc.
And as for $$$$$$ aid, Iwas referring to humanitarian aid, and aid in the form of building infrastructure, so on.
But I do believe that nations and peopls SHOULD be left to forge their own destiny, without interference, though, alas, that will (probably) never happen.
