There Is No Congo Essay

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The essence of the argument discussed in "there is no Congo" written by Jeffrey herbst and Greg mills is that the democratic republic of Congo is unfit to be referred to as a state. The argument is based on the suggestion that the efforts into the development of Congo, are doomed to fail. The following essay will discuss the reasons why democratic republic of Congo may not fit the traditional view of a nation state discussed with reference to the forms of sovereignty. The essay will go on to Mention the suggested solutions proposed in the article and attempt to explain why I agree with the suggestion different authority figures that in the different provinces of the DRC should be recognised under what should be either a become a more efficient …show more content…

Joseph Kabila’s (aged 43) title as president was passed from his father following his assassination. This portrays how the leadership of DRC was not a choice made unilaterally by the Congolese citizens but instead was a title passed down from a war hero to his offspring. Joseph Kabila is now questioned regarding the legitimacy of his position as the absolute leader of the DRC. The traditional view nation state includes a clear authority used to govern the state and the state’s role in protecting the interests of the citizens. Congo however defies the characteristics of both an empirical and judicial state. It has an inefficient political institution, proved by the process of “decongolisation”- which explains how pillage has led to the usage natural resources benefiting foreigners more than natives. No capacity to govern – proven by their extensive history of civil war. No evidence of a common national unity. The nation is evidently unable to exercise monopoly as a state as seen in how foreign influence has proven ability to exploit the countries natural resources with the participation of the Congolese elite. Alternatively Congo would be regarded to as a juridical state. However the nation is not independent from foreign influence as

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