Introduction to the Position
The essay prompt offers an indifferent approach and opinion regarding the ‘poor’ and ‘backward’ of the world. The prompt considers the economic predicament of these countries as incident of their own lack of initiative in embracing and actively participating in modern economic trends- globalization and capitalism. The prompt assumes that the reason for these countries’ development is their failed socialist policies, which allows corruption. The prompt seems to fault these countries for ‘playing the victim card’- an allusion to the claims of most African countries on colonialism and neocolonialism as the major reasons for the perceived slow growth of African countries.
Indeed, Africa is the poorest continent in the world. While wrong economic policies and corruption considerably contribute to the under-development of a country, they are not the only reasons for the slow growth and progress of developing countries in Africa. A huge reason for the prolonged poverty and underdevelopment of the African continent since states started gaining independence in the mid-20th Century is the continent’s international relations. There are numerous real-life examples of African states and leadership that have implemented progressive economic policies that have been the subject of scrutiny by the US and other Western countries. Also, there was a historical neglect of Africa, in terms of international trade with other countries, until recently, when China initiated the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative- a project by the Chinese government that sought to finance several infrastructure projects along major trade routes in the Indian Ocean (major ports, highways in Africa) and the Pacific. The OBOR initiative, coupled with the economic policies of famous Pan-African leaders like Thomas Sankara are proof of Africa’s transcending efforts to embrace globalization and capitalism, tainted and derailed by unscrupulous international relations Africa has with the rest of the world, that hinder its development and progress.
Wars and Conflict- The Impact of Colonialism
The global image of the African continent is that of poor people, often divided and in conflict. Indeed, Africa has experienced more than 100 successful coupes, 105 failed coups, and dozens of other armed conflicts. This state of political instability and continuous conflict is one of the contributing factors to the underdevelopment (Potter et al., 2018) of most African conflict. However, to conclude that these conflicts are caused by African’s perceived ‘backwardness,’ according to the prompt, is ignorant, at the very least, because it fails to describe the role of colonialism. Many European colonies in Africa were mapped according to the European interest and claim to a region and its resources, not the different cultures and people groups present on the continent. For example, the region now known as Nigeria consisted of two different British protectorates- Northern & Southern Nigeria (Adeyemi, 2018). The former was a Muslim majority with completely different cultures, customs, and traditions as compared to the South, which was a less conservative Christian protectorate. The British used this cultural divide to maintain subtle control over the region- since the North was more populous, it gained more seats in parliament, imposing its conservative culture and social hierarchy to the South, which ultimately led to the country’s civil war a few years after independence. As such, many African countries faced sectorial conflicts as a result of colonialism as a result of the unscrupulous method Africa’s bordered were drawn and authority granted by colonialist on the basis of identity (Adeyemi, 2018). The prompt failed to understand how cultural identity is a huge component of cohesion in any state. The passive control of colonies was based on identity politics introduced by colonial powers, which fueled discourse among different people groups that have lived in relative peace during the pre-colonial period.
Progressive Pan-African Leadership and Globalization
In light of these differences between states and individual people groups clustered within the borders of a country, a counteracting belief and ideology developed, that encouraged rejection of identity politics that formed the basis of African colonial rule. Pan-Africanism highlights the importance of unity and togetherness for economic progress, often antagonizing colonial powers for instilling the identity discourse in African politics. This ideology was shared by many African leaders in the 20th Century. A famous example of this leader is Burkina Faso’s Thomas Sankara (president between 1983 to 1987) (Jean-Claude Kongo & Zeilig, 2017). Although a socialist, his Pan-African ideals helped to steer the country’s development during his rule. He rejected imperialism and neo-colonialism through foreign aid but did not reject the idea of globalized trade with other countries. He nationalized many mineral resources and exploitable land from foreign companies (remnants of the French), that benefitted from the resources at the expense of the country’s people. He offered subsidies to farmers in rural areas to grow and possibly export as much food as possible as a means of mitigating shortages and frequent cases of famines that were prevalent during the time. He also implemented numerous infrastructure projects- roads and railways that connected the country. He also implemented a massive literacy campaign, building thousands of schools throughout the country’s rural areas. He oversaw the planting of more than 10 million trees in the country as a means of preventing desertification and a changing climate (Jean-Claude Kongo & Zeilig, 2017).
Although a socialist, he implemented several development projects that are critical to a country’s development- infrastructure, food security, literacy, climate change, among others (Potter et al., 2018). He was assassinated on October 15, 1987, by rebel forces against his socialist ideologies that aimed to establish a capitalist system in the country. These forces were partially funded by the US (the CIA), a testament of the neocolonialist tendencies of rich countries, exerting influence in a sovereign country’s domestic issues. Today, Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite Sankara’s assassination and establishment of a capitalist economic system.
China
However, one of the most well-known attempts at neocolonialism is China’s recent activities in Africa. China is in the process of a massive infrastructure project in Sub-Saharan Africa, more so on the East African coast. The OBOR initiative is constructing railways and roads in many African countries and uplifting ports along major trade routes in the Indian Ocean worth an estimated $300 billion (Uzoigwe, 2019). However, the major source of contention is the terms of financial assistance. The loan terms are set to increase national debt in many countries, as part of the terms of many of these loans, the Chinese reserve the right to control of these infrastructure projects, taking revenues earned as payment. This form of control is a perfect example of neocolonialism- gaining control of a country’s resources and sources of revenue without war.
Conclusion
The controversial nature of the Chinese-African relationship shows Africa’s willingness to achieve growth and development. It shows Africa’s willingness to improve its infrastructure as a means of enhancing globalization and trade with other countries, a major precept of capitalism. However, Africa’s development is hindered by the unscrupulous involvement of foreign powers in African through colonialism and neocolonialism, not the presumed weaknesses as presented by the prompt.