Why is Southern Africa doing so well?

[Quackers]

I knew that South Africa ganged up with the USA and other nations to try and remove the white-minority government in an attempt to remove South Africa's pariah status in the international community, obviously it failed. But the crocidile metaphor works well too ^^

You sprang my trap damit Was waiting for an irishman

 

[Brian Shanahan]

I knew that South Africa ganged up with the USA and other nations to try and remove the white-minority government in an attempt to remove South Africa's pariah status in the international community, obviously it failed. But the crocidile metaphor works well too ^^

You sprang my trap damit Was waiting for an irishman

Do your own research, I knew what I was talking about, and why it happened. It's not my job to enlighten you (and I pity any poor soul who would be landed with that one).

 

[amadeus]

Do your own research, I knew what I was talking about, and why it happened. It's not my job to enlighten you (and I pity any poor soul who would be landed with that one).

Well, except that you're wrong: Rhodesia was toned down compared to South Africa. In South Africa, you needed an internal passport to justify where you were (all races had to carry them, not just blacks) whereas in Rhodesia there was never any prohibition on blacks entering Salisbury. Likewise with land ownership: in South Africa, blacks for many years couldn't even own land. In Rhodesia, blacks (and whites) could only own land in certain areas.

 

[innonimatu]

Rhodesia is a funny example. Despite being rascist by modern standaard blacks had a higher standard of living and more freedom than what they had after Mugabe became president. Whites probably should have allowed the blacks more power with the goal of full integration.

It goes beyond racism. It's political. This kind of problem us usually already intractable by the time it is acknowledged, for that only happens when there is pressure to introduce democratic elections. Giving more power to a community which had been discriminated against, when that community forms the vast majority of the population, will put in power their representatives. Who then inevitably set about to confiscate as much as they can from the previous ruling minority, for that must be their platform if they want to be voted into power. Both sides can make this easy calculation, so the result is usually a split. Or the minority just packs and leaves.

I guess that it worked in South Africa because the minority was sizable and the leaders of the majority came across as trustworthy, so there they made a deal before things came down to war and separation. Even so, it only happened after a lot of pressure.
Look at the notorious similar current situation, Israel. How many people propose a separation, and how many believe that a single state without any discrimination? I believe that this last one is worth trying, but only because it was shown to be workable in South Africa. Otherwise I wouldn't believe it either.

 

[GamezRule]

Because just like the Detroit Lions, you can be in last place every season. (3rd place )

It probably has a lot to do with the relative peace that that part of Africa has, compared to other parts.