Decolonization of Africa

[Verbose]

Perhaps, you have not studied human history. It shows that «majority rule» have brought misery to African countries. In the case of Rhodesia it also showed that under «minority rule» Black had much more personal freedom and much higher standards of living than under this «freedom fighter» Mugabe.

Correlation does not equate causation in this instance.

And it becomes a curiously passive message as well. At best you've got an example of there being nothing like a sure thing in this world. Want to elevate it to a guideline for action? Well, you will tend to end up advocating everyone just sit on their ass for fear of things getting worse. Sometimes it does, usually it doesn't. Sure you can be subject to a bad rule, but better not to do anything about it, since you could after all end up with and even worse one.

 

[Tee Kay]

And even the correlation part is dubious.

 

[Flying Pig]

Well, in certain places being ruled by white politicans and civil servants was far better for the country than being run by blacks without any experience of the business - Zimbabwe anyone? Majority rule is and was a laudable goal, but should have been achieved in a far gentler, saner manner; Sard Ifrica hasn't done too badly but Zimbabwe is a mess and really didn't have to be. 'Old' Rhodesia actually wasn't doing too badly for itself and certainly managed to feed itself far better than Mugabe's country has ever managed

 

[Verbose]

Well, in certain places being ruled by white politicans and civil servants was far better for the country than being run by blacks without any experience of the business - Zimbabwe anyone? Majority rule is and was a laudable goal, but should have been achieved in a far gentler, saner manner; Sard Ifrica hasn't done too badly but Zimbabwe is a mess and really didn't have to be. 'Old' Rhodesia actually wasn't doing too badly for itself and certainly managed to feed itself far better than Mugabe's country has ever managed

So how metonynmic for Africa in general should we regard Zimbabwe as? It's a bit like looking at Moldova and saying "Europe" after all.

 

[Snorrius]

So how metonynmic for Africa in general should we regard Zimbabwe as? It's a bit like looking at Moldova and saying "Europe" after all.

But look, it is not that other African countries were really able to achieve "democracy" as in Western European countries or comparable humanitarian values or standards of living etc.

Actually there is a pretty simple explanation to it. Democracy was developed over centries in Europe but when you try to implant it without thinking in countries which have not ran through certain stages of development it is bound to fail. In African case the population is too poor and too undereducated, so you need certain census as, say, in European countries pre-XX century. First you give right to vote to men who meet certain criteria, than extend it to all men, and then to women when they become a significant part of labour force.

One man - one vote is not something granted by God(s) - country have to meet certain criteria to use this system sucessfully. Check the history of democratic societies.

 

[Tee Kay]

But look, it is not that other African countries were really able to achieve "democracy" as in Western European countries or comparable humanitarian values or standards of living etc.

Perhaps you should look at where Africa was 50 years ago and where it is now. It's objectively false to say that Africa has not changed since Colonial times.

Actually there is a pretty simple explanation to it. Democracy was developed over centries in Europe but when you try to implant it without thinking in countries which have not ran through certain stages of development it is bound to fail.

If you look at African countries and their political systems, you'll find that in many cases it actually doesn't matter whether a country is a democracy, an oligarchy or a dictatorship; they all achieve a similar level of development. The one case of a really successful African autocracy that achieves a really high level of development is Libya. African democracies aren't perfect, but it's not like dictatorships achieve much better results.