Infamous607 · 51-55, M
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reinholddoppeldecker · 36-40, M
You can say colonialism, corruption, and various developments in recent history are to blame, and I don't want to dispute any of that.
But the truth is also that most of Africa, barring a few kingdoms here and there, has always been behind Europe and Asia in development. From what I've heard, the reason for that is Africa's geography. Africa has few large rivers, and few natural ports. As a result, long distance trade becomes difficult. And trade is of vital importance for building sucessful civilizations. Most places in the world have everything you need to survive locally, but not everything you need to thrive. Without trade, you can't move around surpluses. That means you're less capable of relieving famines, and you can't as easily build wealth. You're cut off from certain resources, and from the knowledge of the rest of the world.
Already in antiquity, Rome was conducting trade with China. Africa was lagging behind back then already. It's no coincidence that the most illustrious and long-lived civilization on African soil, Egypt, was centered around a big river, the Nile, had access to the Mediterranean, and was close to several other great civilizations.
But the truth is also that most of Africa, barring a few kingdoms here and there, has always been behind Europe and Asia in development. From what I've heard, the reason for that is Africa's geography. Africa has few large rivers, and few natural ports. As a result, long distance trade becomes difficult. And trade is of vital importance for building sucessful civilizations. Most places in the world have everything you need to survive locally, but not everything you need to thrive. Without trade, you can't move around surpluses. That means you're less capable of relieving famines, and you can't as easily build wealth. You're cut off from certain resources, and from the knowledge of the rest of the world.
Already in antiquity, Rome was conducting trade with China. Africa was lagging behind back then already. It's no coincidence that the most illustrious and long-lived civilization on African soil, Egypt, was centered around a big river, the Nile, had access to the Mediterranean, and was close to several other great civilizations.
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Longpatrol · 31-35, M
Legacy of colonialism, tribalism, poor fiscal discipline and no real incentive to change.
That said, countries like Rwanda have economies expanding at a crazy rate with significant investment into the service sector and tourism( Historical evolution of GDP per Capita, IMF, 2012)
That said, countries like Rwanda have economies expanding at a crazy rate with significant investment into the service sector and tourism( Historical evolution of GDP per Capita, IMF, 2012)
Adstar · 56-60, M
Many corrupt leaders in Africa..
Many corrupt officals and police and judges..
Few good sea ports..
Few good trading rivers..
One of the biggest problems is the winner takes it all mentality. When a faction gets into power they will give all the government employment positions to their family's to their tribe to their political party members no matter if the people have no education on how to run the department..
In other countries for instance the bureaucracy is run by carrier bureaucrats who enter the government service after they leave college.. these people stay in the government departments until they retire no matter who wins the elections.. They simply follow the orders of the new set of politicians.. so they build up knowledge on how to run railways and roads and hospitals and schools..
But in Africa some politicians uneducated nephew get put in charge of the roads department and has no idea how to run the operation.. He gets his village friend a job as boss of the road gang and he is illiterate.. Soon the entire country is becoming an absolute mess,,
Many corrupt officals and police and judges..
Few good sea ports..
Few good trading rivers..
One of the biggest problems is the winner takes it all mentality. When a faction gets into power they will give all the government employment positions to their family's to their tribe to their political party members no matter if the people have no education on how to run the department..
In other countries for instance the bureaucracy is run by carrier bureaucrats who enter the government service after they leave college.. these people stay in the government departments until they retire no matter who wins the elections.. They simply follow the orders of the new set of politicians.. so they build up knowledge on how to run railways and roads and hospitals and schools..
But in Africa some politicians uneducated nephew get put in charge of the roads department and has no idea how to run the operation.. He gets his village friend a job as boss of the road gang and he is illiterate.. Soon the entire country is becoming an absolute mess,,
swirlie · 31-35
Mara Largo