Why Is Africa Still Poor

the nation ^ | October 6, 2005 | Andrew Rice

[flixxx]

A slogan painted on trucks and taxicabs all over Africa, much beloved by metaphor-hunting authors, reads: NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT. This is true, but some are recurring. Tyranny in Zimbabwe, famine in Niger, a constitutional coup in Togo, rampant corruption in Kenya, protesters shot in Ethiopia, an epidemic in Angola, civil war in Sudan--those are this year's headlines, but if you think you've heard it all before, you have. Martin Meredith, in his new book The Fate of Africa, writes that "what is so striking about the fifty-year period since independence is the extent to which African states have suffered so many of the same misfortunes." Some countries, like Nigeria and Zambia, have gone through cycles of reform and decay. But Meredith's subtitle--From the Hopes of Freedom to the Heart of Despair--sums up the overall trend. It's hard to imagine now, but in the heady days of the 1960s, much of the continent was no less prosperous than South Korea or Malaysia. While those Asian nations have transformed themselves into economic "tigers," however, gross domestic products across Africa shrank during the last two decades of the twentieth century. Africans are getting poorer, not richer. They are living shorter, hungrier lives.

[flixxx]

A 5-page-long read, but I was surprised by the points raised by Rice (especially coming from 'the nation'). One of his main points (which is in opposition to Jeffrey Sachs) is that the politics are corrupt and until this changes, no matter how much money you pour into Africa, it won't matter.

I just find this rather refreshing coming from a publication like 'the nation'.

Of course, I remember PJ O'Rourke wrote basically the same thing (though more eloquently) in his book "All the Trouble in the World" years ago.

[SteveMcKing]

Why won't people listen to Bono?

If only we gave MORE....

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Too many words. Let's try the short form:

Why Is Africa Still Poor - TRIBALISM

[PistolPaknMama]

the politics are corrupt and until this changes, no matter how much money you pour into Africa, it won't matter.

Duuuhhh bump??

[IronJack]

I was going to suggest "primitive", but I think you've nailed it as well.

[msf92497]

Greed.
Corruption.
Lack of self government.
Foreign aid.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

"Why Is Africa Still Poor"

If one has to ask the question, they will never understand the answer.

[taxesareforever]

Why Is Africa Still Poor - TRIBALISM

And what is the matter with that? If that is the way people want to live who are we to say differently? Just because our way of life is more civilized doesn't mean we should try and change theirs when it seems as if most are happy with the way things are.

[Jim Noble]

Why Is Africa Still Poor

Because Africa invents nothing, develops nothing, manufactures nothing, and produces nothing.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

I didn't say it was good nor bad, I just gave the answer in one word.

[GSHastings]

And what is the matter with that? If that is the way people want to live who are we to say differently? Just because our way of life is more civilized doesn't mean we should try and change theirs when it seems as if most are happy with the way things are.

You're joking, right?

If you're not joking, then the answer to your question is; Because we continue to pour million$ of our resources into fixing the problems that result from "the way things are".

[taxesareforever]

And what is the matter with that? If that is the way people want to live who are we to say differently? Just because our way of life is more civilized doesn't mean we should try and change theirs when it seems as if most are happy with the way things are. You're joking, right? If you're not joking, then the answer to your question is; Because we continue to pour million$ of our resources into fixing the problems that result from "the way things are".

Sounds to me like it is US who have the problem and not the Africans. We should know better about throwing money at problems. Just look at the education system. You would think we would learn. But we don't. This country has a mind set that all problems can be cured with money.

[tfecw]

For those who haven't read this one yet.
Here is why Africa is poor

I agree politics have a big part to play in it, but that will start to go away when we stop dropping dollar bills from airplanes.

[JSteff]

"All the Trouble in the World"

The book that made me realize fully that I was a conservative.

One year I gave copies to everyone in my whole family for Christmas.

[tamalejoe]

Try this for an explanation as to what ails Africa...

[AndyTheBear]

...he politics are corrupt and until this changes, no matter how much money you pour into Africa, it won't matter.

I only made it through the first page. Did he ever opine that it might actually be the money pouring in that keeps the government corrupt and the economy stagnant?

[Wil H]

Because Africa invents nothing, develops nothing, manufactures nothing, and produces nothing.

But it has gold, silver, diamonds, and plenty of other natural resources, so what is the problem?

[dr huer]

Africa is too damn hot. Productive daytime work is stolen by midnight marauders. Thus a self destructive culture evolves since stealing is easier than working.

[A CA Guy]

Exactly.

[AndyTheBear]

About this other analysis: the guy should quit holding back, and come out and say what he really means<\sarcasm off>