Would anyone agree that part of the problem is that we tend to consider "Africa" as the problem as opposed to many individual counties which happen to be on the same continent? There are massive differences across the continent between the countries, who are each at different stages of development.
Surely considering each country individually would be a better way of discussing/dealing with the problem rather than trying a one-size-fits-all approach?
There are times when handouts are necessary e.g. humanitarian crisis, but using this as an overall approach to improving an economy isn't working.
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Originally posted by mrstabbyI completely agree.
Would anyone agree that part of the problem is that we tend to consider "Africa" as the problem as opposed to many individual counties which happen to be on the same continent? There are massive differences across the continent between the countries, who are each at different stages of development.
Surely considering each country individually would be a ...[text shortened]... nitarian crisis, but using this as an overall approach to improving an economy isn't working.
Edit - Well, not completely actually. There is a role for funding, especially since it's very hard to raise domestic savings to finance productive investment. These are not "handouts" though but they can be aid.
Originally posted by PalynkaIntroducing intermediate technologies etc is definitely the way to go. If we give funding, it must be towards initiatives or very securely (as in non-corruptly) invested like you said, not raw money. Trouble is any investment may well end up lining the pockets of an elite. It may be difficult to raise domestic savings quickly without investment, but it's preferable to allow them to grow more slowly, as money like that is corrupting. It's unlikely that there's a fast-track way of solving African countries' problems.
I completely agree.
Edit - Well, not completely actually. There is a role for funding, especially since it's very hard to raise domestic savings to finance productive investment. These are not "handouts" though but they can be aid.
Originally posted by mrstabbyThat is certainly the case, though many African countries do have common problems. Having lived in Zambia and South Africa I can say that they are worlds apart. They do both have a problem with HIV in common but little else.
Would anyone agree that part of the problem is that we tend to consider "Africa" as the problem as opposed to many individual counties which happen to be on the same continent? There are massive differences across the continent between the countries, who are each at different stages of development.
Much of Africa does have:
High levels of HIV.
High levels of Corruption.
Low levels of education.
High poverty levels.
Poor economies.
Poor infrastructure.
A system of democracy that is rather less participatory than in many first world nations.
High indebtedness to other countries.
I assumed that this thread was asking what could be done about some or all of these problems where present.
My personal belief is that education comes first, and that a genuine desire to help from first world nations would go a long way. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that they are morally required to do so but that it would help if they did.
Originally posted by twhiteheadSee Brother Edwin's post above.
That is certainly the case, though many African countries do have common problems. Having lived in Zambia and South Africa I can say that they are worlds apart. They do both have a problem with HIV in common but little else.
Much of Africa does have:
High levels of HIV.
High levels of Corruption.
Low levels of education.
High poverty levels.
Poor ec ...[text shortened]... ng, I am not saying that they are morally required to do so but that it would help if they did.
Originally posted by spruce112358Wouldn't it be easier to just put a 6 cent tariff on the African fruit?
Producing a fruit in the US costs 10 cents. To grow the same fruit and ship it from Africa costs 6 cents. Today, the government pays 3 cents to the US farmer, and puts a 2 cent duty on the African fruit. So the final cost to me is:
US fruit: 7 cents
African fruit: 8 cents
Naturally, I buy the American fruit. But the cost? I pay 7 cents (+3 cents ...[text shortened]... hana with rice)
Government regulation COSTS money. Milton Friedman. Free to Choose. Read it.
Milton Friedman is a brilliant man. A genuine conservative too. They're seemingly tough to come by nowadays.