Why Is There a Need for Development In Africa?
Since the dawn of the colonial era, the African continent has experienced numerous hardships on the pathway to economic and human development. High levels of poverty, disease, and inequality coupled with low levels of human development, education, and infrastructure has long gripped the continent and has stifled growth efforts (Gorton). An example of this extreme poverty lies in the African country of Uganda, where nearly 80% of its citizens could not afford food in 2012 (“Many in Developing Nations Struggle to Afford Food”). In addition, the quantity of hungry people in Africa grew from 1990-2012 from 175 million to 239 million, with one in four people facing undernourishment or various symptoms of starvation (“2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics by World Hunger Education Service”). As a struggling continent in the developing Global South, Africa justifies a desperate need for drastic increases in economic and human development in numerous respects.
Non-violent issues such as disease and the lack of a widespread, adequate education system certainly pose threats to the development of Africa. However, corruption and violence are two additional, prominent forces that continue to plague the continent as a whole (Shah). Because of the perpetual violence and elevated levels of corruption, Africa has produced over 9 million refugees and “internally displaced” people since 2000 (“By Origin Table”). Electoral corruption in a relatively unstable democratic system in Kenya is a prime example of such corruption experienced in Africa (Campbell).
The African continent as a whole faces substantial obstacles. Yet visions from China, the United States, and Africa continue to ...
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...urces does not prove to be a big enough boost to put the African nation on the same level as larger developing nations such as China and Brazil (Carroll).
Conclusion
Africa has certainly experienced and will continue endure issues and struggles regarding development in its place in the Global South. It will be a continual battle to control issues such as corruption, violence, disease, and overall poverty. Despite this, the continent as a whole appears to be surprisingly poised for at least marginal levels of growth and success in the years to come. Agencies and private investors, such as the African Union and Shanghai Zendai Property Ltd., along with increased business interests from companies in Great Britain of the Global North, have the potential to overcome the difficulties the African continent has faced since the dawn of the colonial era of the 15th century.
“Africa is failing to keep up with population growth not because it has exhausted its potential, but instead because too little has been invested in reaching that potential.” Paarlberg backs this claim with evidence that India’s food issue was solved with foreign assistance in development and offers that the solution to Africa’s food shortage is also development and farm modernization endorsed by foreign aid.
It is thought-provoking, in the sense that Africa’s need for foreign created a race to the bottom, much like what Pietra Rivoli described in The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy. Due to some African states’ reliance on foreign aid in order to mine and profit on their resources, they allow business standards to be lowered and for Chinese firms to tip the contracts moresoever in the favor of Chinese firms. This lowers the potential earnings of African states by lowering royalty rates, for example. Additionally, Burgis’ research was thorough and transparent. When he did not receive a response or if his questions were dodged, he made it obvious to the readers. Sure, some could view this book as too anecdotal to be used as a credible source of Africa’s situation. However, this is due to the nature of the system Burgis is writing about; after all, they are shadow states for a reason. Some readers will be saddened by this text, others angry, most curious to learn more, but above all, everyone will be intellectually stimulated and
While the United States has a long-standing foothold on the oil in Africa, China has been dominating the other natural resources available for the past 20 years (Bhorat 2013). Additionally, the current perception of President Obama in Kenya seems to have changed dramatically over the recent years. While much of the letdowns were due to high expectations on the Kenya’s population, the general consensus was that President Obama has not done much to help improve the current state of the Kenyan economy. The current programs in Africa are programs that were enacted or established by President's Clinton and George W. Bush (Mwangi 2013). This has allowed the Chinese government to move in and expand operations in the region.
For as long as Africa has existed, others have sought to wield power over the land, resources and inhabitants. In earlier days, Africans were abducted away into the slave trade and more recently, Africans were utilized as built in labor with their territories during the era of colonization in the 1800’s. However any discussion of Africa after this point of achievement of independence to current day has been grossly underwhelming. Author Frederick Cooper seeks to change our view of African today with his book Africa Since 1940; His writings demonstrate the severely warped manner in which Africa is viewed and seeks to show that despite supposed independence Africa has still been suppressed and therefore put at a disadvantage. This in turn has negatively impacted the way in which we as outsiders view the continent.
...nturies of both its resources and its people; a continent dived by borders that suited foreign powers, leaving nothing but volatile power vacuums. Those who did somehow manage to receive an education were taught that their heritage and they themselves were inferior. Despite everything Africa has endured, there remains hope. Some form of stability is establishing itself in an increasing number of regions, including Nigeria, with Lagos becoming an economic powerhouse in West Africa. Across the continent more and more economic development projects are being funded by African banks.
One of the reasons why Gabon has been so successful is that it has a
There are many things that cause poverty in Africa. The main reason is that the rich in Africa hog all the money and resources causing a country where there are rich people and poor people, there is ...
Priscilla. “The World Economy and Africa.” JSpivey – Home – Wikispaces. 2010. 29 January 2010. .
Africa has battled the slave trade and the loss of so many of her valuable children. Africa has battled colonization of her land and the exploitation of her vast resources. The continent has come out of these battles beaten down and shaken up but still standing. With the help of Wangari Maathai’s “The Challenge For Africa” I hope to point out how Africa and its nation states can raise themselves to new levels of greatness, fight off the ills of neo-colonialism and achieve this beautiful dream of Nelson
According to the IMF China has the world`s largest purchasing power parity and as by 2015, it was the world’s second largest economy with growth rates averaging about 10% annually. This environment has generated the development of multinational companies which are keen to maximize their economies of scale and economies of scope through expansion and setting up in new countries. In view of that, Sub Saharan Africa which also has some
If there is something interesting – and indeed surprising - about Africa, it is a continent where smart fastidious individuals can capitalize on the gullibility of others and make millions within the twinkling of an eye. It is a place where even monkey’s red ass, sweetly coated with a little lie and persuasion, can be marketed as omnipotent product and sold for millions of dollars for simple minded individuals.
Artadi, Elsa V., and Xavier Sala-i-Martin. The Economic Tragedy of the XXth Century: Growth in Africa. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, 2003. Print.
How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney, was one of the most controversial books in the world at the time of its release. The book seeks to argue that European exploitation and involvement in Africa throughout history. This is the cause of current African underdevelopment, and the true path to the development is for Africa to completely sever her ties with the international capitalist economy. Rodney describes his goal in writing the book in the preface: “this book derives from a concern with the contemporary African situation. It delves into the past only because otherwise it would be impossible to understand how the present came into being and what the trends are for the near future” (vii). Rodney writes from a distinctly Marxist perspective by arguing that the inequalities inherent in European capitalism and required exploitation of certain countries in order to sustain capitalism.
There is no doubt that European colonialism has left a grave impact on Africa. Many of Africa’s current and recent issues can trace their roots back to the poor decisions made during the European colonial era. Some good has resulted however, like modern medicine, education, and infrastructure. Africa’s history and culture have also been transformed. It will take many years for the scars left by colonization to fade, but some things may never truly disappear. The fate of the continent may be unclear, but its past provides us with information on why the present is the way it is.
The majority of the continent of Africa has not been as economically progressive as the other continents in today’s world. However, over the past few years, it has been rapidly growing. Although there have been multiple countries in Africa that have reflected a strong growing economy, such as South Africa and Botswana, there are many other countries that are still corrupt and are still struggling to grow as a nation. There are many challenges that are facing Africa currently. Some of these major challenges being, corrupt governments, vicious cycles of aid, and poverty traps. However, among these challenges, there still lies to be great opportunities for Africa within their technology and business sectors.