Why Africa is so Poor (Hint: It isn’t Colonialism)

[@adrianqx]

As Kenyan I will tell you our biggest problem with Africa isint colonialism it's poor leadership / corruption we lack nothing but good leadership !

[@teresiamaina9573]

A fellow kenyan here backs you up 😢

[@sdm6054]

There are three problems I see with African nations. Corruption Lack of sensible domestic investment Old tribal conflicts If these three things could be sorted out, there is no reason that African nations couldn't become the richest people in human history. Africa is so full of resources and people with huge potential, it could easily fuel its own growth for decades to come, possibly centuries with the amount of stuff you have in the ground.

[@evilsharkey8954]

@@sdm6054 Yes! Africans aren’t stupid. With investment in education and infrastructure, African countries could develop their human resources to draw foreign investments and build businesses. If that growth was distributed in a way that didn’t leave huge swaths of the country desperately poor, the whole country would rise, and fiends who want to tear down the system would have a harder time finding allies.

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

The leaders did not fall from the sky. They're products of the society.

[@dreadinajeep]

ruto has entered the chat

[@Jay-Leigh863]

I'm South African and live in South Africa. I have traveled and worked throughout Africa. I have worked in the really poor parts of South Africa too for an organization called Afrika Ticcun which attempts to uplift poor Black people. Just one of many incidents I've encountered. An organization decided to build a community center in an impoverished area. They were donating this absolutely free to the community. As work got going a delegation of locals visited and demanded 35% of the value of the contract be paid to them in cash otherwise the building will be burned down and any workers(all workers were Black) who attempted to continue the project, would be murdered. This happened on numerous similar projects. This is what happens with aid sent to Africa. Everyone and his mother demands their "fair" share before maybe 2% reaches the poor on the ground.

[@MrLeedebt]

Appalling.

[@taco-ew4bw]

This is very similar to what's happening in the USA with black lives matter burning down businesses and stealing in the name of fair share.

[@pierrecurie]

So what happened to that project? Did they give in to the extortion? Was it cancelled?

[@GloryDaze73]

​@@pierrecurieyes, normally the projects try to continue, but eventually take so long to finish that it loses money and no one gets paid. It's very complicated to understand the situation, but the average person wants to work, but is prohibited by a small violent group.😢

[@stevehughes240]

Sorry to say boet, but the charity is part of the problem. Welfare state, welfare corruption.

[@SaxonsGlory]

I am 66 years old, a white male and spent more than 40 years in Botswana. During that time, I travelled extensively through Africa and wherever I went, I was appalled at just how little the countries had managed to do anything whatsoever for their people. Instead, their leaders were well and truly aboard the gravy trains that ensured their own wealth at the expense of their people. Botswana is known as the "Switzerland" of Africa and is a shining light as to how, one of the poorest countries in the world, adapted and grew into an economic and political masterpiece, since the 30th September 1966. As a child, I too stood in the Gaborone National stadium that day shouting Pula, along with the proud Motswana people and I praise Sir Seretse Khama and those leaders who have followed him, for the wisdom and vision, that has seen the emergence of a Botswana, free of corruption and racial hatred. It is truly, the gem of Africa.

[@thebubbacontinuum2645]

Don't forget Rwanda.

[@strikingmachine2975]

you misspelled "Chicago"

[@calmbbaer]

That's doubly incredible considering the 22% adult prevalence of HIV/AIDS and being only #7 in diamond exports.

[@xpusostomos]

$500 a month is the gem of Africa? So that's the best case for Africa, to get to $500 a month.

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

@@xpusostomos What does that $500 buy? That's the question.

[@GongsAndChimes]

Corruption, a lack of both basic transport and banking systems, ingrained political instability, and an international reputation for dishonesty spring to mind.

[@Dave-si2im]

My dad was in the Royal Marines and served for over two years in Africa. He would scoff at so called racism in the West and would say, "If you want to see racism go to Africa, because no one treats a black man worse than another black man". When I was a kid and often my school would be doing something charitable for Africa, he'd refuse to donate and say, "Until you sort out corruption giving to Africa is pointless". You say this these days and you'd be considered a racist, but was he wrong......

[@janbananberg357]

........

[@reklesswaylander7731]

He is not wrong I live here in Namibia and I see it daily.

[@saenekokun2723]

True.

[@carmencollor1224]

I couldn't agree more. Lived in Tanzania for almost 4 years, travelled around the continent and that was exactly what I saw. Having also lived previously in Singapore, I can say the contrast could not be more extreme!! And it is but a question of good management.

[@JacobNeff-oq5km]

It's an emotional "argument" and always has been. If someone called you a heretic or a poopyface, would you even bother continuing the conversation? Of course not.

[@PInk77W1]

I had an Uber driver from Africa. He is doing great in the USA. He told me his dad died in Africa. Some distant relatives came to his house with guns and told the family to get out and they took the dads house. I said can’t u go to court ? He said no. Pretty crazy

[@Kpelz]

How do I explain this now 🤔 In certain cultures, when a man passes away, his family members, including brothers, uncles, and nephews, inherit his property. The wife and her kids have to cultivate positive relationships with them to ensure a fair share of her late husband's property or sometimes the kids resort to violence if they’re old enough. If the family doesn’t like her, it could negatively impact her situation following her husband's death. But things are changing now, slowly but steadily we are making progress.

[@axiezimmah]

​@Kpelz that's barbaric culture. No wonder you struggled so much to advance despite having thousand of years of a head start over Europeans.

[@1wun1]

Which country?

[@rzella8022]

@@axiezimmah And it will likely remain barbaric for the next 500 years.

[@andretait2817]

I bet he wishes his ancestors got sold as slaves in America. It would have saved him personally a lot of effort and anguish to get tot the states. not nice for his ancestors but good for the descendants.

[@essaboselin5252]

An old boss told me of her time working on contracts for projects in Africa. They had to add a certain percentage to cover the bribes necessary to have the bid even considered. Then they had to factor in the cost for future bribes, for locals stealing the supplies, for damages caused by local workers being drunk on the job, for "inspection" fees from the local gangs ...

[@puraLusa]

It's place on the budget as extra administrative cost 😂

[@davejoseph5615]

Yeah, I thought the main problems were corruption and tribalism.

[@andrewjones2898]

Sad but all true . this greed by a few evil black men is the reason Africa will never prosper under a black run goverment .

[@neddyseagoon9601]

Pre Communist collapse a company I worked for, shipping goods into the Communist block, gave each driver 1,200 dollars to pay bribes etc on his trips, into, around and out again. So it's not just Africa... But look how awful some Communist states were to live in.

[@mikequinn6206]

A friend of mine handled the sale of 100 buses manufactured by the US company he was working for, about 30 years ago. They were to be sold to an Arab country. The deal was brokered by some Arab Sheik, a middleman. My friend’s company invoiced that Arab country for the said 100 buses at an inflated price. However, they delivered 110 buses to the middleman who, presumably, passed on the 100 buses originally ordered to his client. Oh, and I do know the name of that US manufacturer!

[@Breitie]

As an African by birth I put forward these factors for the lack of progress on that continent: poor education, poor work ethic, tribal conflicts and never ending civil wars, avaricious leaders, lack of ambition and vision.

[@BishopEddie5443]

They want you to believe Africans hated each other before the white man came and destroyed our sense of community.This same man (the white man) that benefits from slavery and colonialism is the same one trying to shift blame on Africans and Black people worldwide! He failed to mention all the atrocities his people inflicted on their victims. He also wants us to ignore that his people are the same people stealing gold, diamonds and other resources right now in Africa, and oppressing people around the globe!

[@DjinnandTonik]

And why are all those things in place

[@hunkyhaggis2161]

Yep. Blacks basically.

[@LilBigTv2k]

@@hunkyhaggis2161not all African countries are poor and every continent has a time where they do bad Europe just came out of top only two centuries ago there was a time where they was poor and undeveloped too

[@batemoji6430]

@@hunkyhaggis2161It’s always js gonna be abt our color to y’all lmao never mind the fact that these same things happen to impoverish white communities. It’s never been abt race or ethnicity, it was always exploitation n poverty. Look at the Roma, the Irish, African Americans, all in the same boat, but since the Irish were pale, they soon became “white”

[@maxlilly7961]

Africa must take their destiny into their own hands. Stop corruption, exploitation and puppets politicians.

[@Logans3Run]

If that ever happened, it would be like the Pope announcing to the World, that he's suddenly become an atheist...

[@neeltjebooysen2688]

And entitlement and I am a poor victim.

[@m.r.e.s.6401]

It might be a good thing for the western world to try this first.

[@Logans3Run]

@@m.r.e.s.6401 They already did, 2000 years ago...

[@blaisexrusso]

Easier said than done

[@ocarinaplaya]

Anecdotally there was a guy who posted his experience online when he was working as a missionary in one of the southern african countries. His main takeaway was the sense of entitlement that africans had whenever someone started to become successful. Whenever a guy was able to make a lot of money his relatives would ask, demand and threaten him to share. Whenever the missionaries gave out food the households that got the most food (due to having more members) would be hounded by their neighbors. It might be a symptom of the marxist "limiting personal wealth" thing that these people are predisposed to demanding handouts. We see it in western countries and I see it daily in my own community.

[@moralityisnotsubjective5]

I saw it as well growing up in poorer neighborhoods.

[@russianbot4418]

It's a sad reality of human nature. I started a business largely by accident and thus started to do well in life largely by accident. My reward from my family was to sue me over nothing real and do their damnedest to ruin me and my business for it. Their view was literally that they did not see me as capable of doing so well on my own therefore they had the right to take it from me/destroy it/me because they cant have it, despite the glaring fact they have no clue who I am, what I do, or how I do things.

[@iamnothale]

@@russianbot4418 How do you "accidently" started a business??? Also you family's behaviour screams, - "You took everything from me." - I don't even know who you are. - "You will." Sucks, cuz normally you would be praise by your family for standing on your two feet. But then again, "sharing the pie" remains solely the norm amongst the poor and not the rich, so...

[@russianbot4418]

@@iamnothale It's basically a hobby that grew out of control and just sort of became a legitimate business at some point. The family thing is a 100% control-at-all-costs thing that goes with aging-out narcissists. I was told in a family meeting that they control everything in the family and if I don't like it I can get out. In the end, it cost them way more than it cost me and has set them up for a potentially massive damages countersuit due to how much dirt they revealed on themselves over the whole legal battle. Turns out they have using me and other family members for years as tax write-offs by claiming on their taxes they were, paying us management fees for the homes we own (None of us has ever seen as much as a penny in payments), charging us rent for the same homes, (None of us has ever paid rent to anyone), wrote off huge deductions for construction work that was never done by them (our own work done and paid for by ourselves) and even writing us off as employees when we were never that either.

[@speakingwithoutnet]

You see this a lot in some cultures. I live near an Indian Reservation, and the main store there has a broken window. It's been broken for decades. They stopped trying to fix it because everything it would be broken again within a day. They were successful, and making money, so they needed to be knocked down to be equal. And there is the whole, if you have extra, share it with family and neighbour's or you're bad. It's commonly talked about, but no one tries to change it. For them it's a holdover from tribal days.

[@natetaylor9002]

I always just assumed it was rampant corruption (aggravated by poor climate in large chunks of the continent)...and that 'colonialism' was used as an excuse to deflect accountability!

[@Ashtarot77]

The ANC government to this day, nearly 30 years later, still blame the apartheid government in South Africa for the country's current troubles. They're as corrupt as they come.

[@Bell_plejdo568p]

Than y don’t u leave those countries alone today and give back the trillions that was stolen

[@Bell_plejdo568p]

@@DM-ur8vc do u actually want to learn? I can send u video and again Africa is a massive extremely diverse continent and labor, resources that are stole by big multinationals corporations, and how many Africa leaders to try to improve there country were take out or there country was destabilized and no they have had full sovereignty. Like right now the west is committed a gec8coide in the Congo for its mineral L’s by funding warlords and India isnt become a powerhouse and gdp doenst mean, ur just a brainwashed bot. If ur genuine and want to learn let me know

[@talha7309]

@@DM-ur8vc ofcourse it's the africa's fault. Corrupt african leaders has nothing to do with the european states whos supporting them to keep them in power. Or french companies that messed up with african countries and support and finance countless coups and civil wars.

[@Kpop-eye-f7t]

​@@DM-ur8vcLol India is not becoming a powerhouse, it just enjoys the "Nigeria effect" where having a large population results in you having a larger GDP hence a larger military and a larger investment ability than others making you appear "great" while in reality almost all of your population is dirt poor and miserable with corrupt government officials holding all the money. GDP per capita & HDI are much better indicators of success, otherwise fools would think India is more prosperous than the UK by relying on GDP. India like Africa and unlike Singapore were brutally colonized and looted of their resources and they still suffer from that today including tribal conflicts, bad climate and corruption all indirectly as a results of colonialism and the borders Colonialists drew around warring tribes. Tiny Singapore's colonialism was very mild by comparison.

[@redf7209]

I remember about a water pump being installed by a charity for a village. When the charity finished and went away the village leader dismantled the pump and sold the metal for money.

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

That is just so wrong on so many levels. I'm sure it would have HELPED his own family members if he gave it just two seconds of thought.

[@lexhawkins7442]

How discouraging.

[@kehindeakiode2865]

This is actually a common pattern in many African countries: short-term thinking.

[@lexhawkins7442]

@@kehindeakiode2865 I suppose so.

[@Comments1-vc8jg]

I met a Nigerian in the USA. I asked him “how would the Nigerians feel if one of your own made it big in tech and became a billionaire…….and decided to come back to Nigeria and invest in developing an industry (like tourism or tech)?” He told me that it would never work since the people would fight over who was getting jobs and who wasn’t. They’d blame the billionaire because he was “trying to further enrich himself”. He had ZERO faith in his OWN people! 😢

[@rebeccaconlon9743]

Crabs in a bucket, its why rappers don't go back to their communities, the others feel entitled to their property and prosperity

[@lalabell2]

i can see their perspective, sadly. a lot of POC communties and a lot of rappers come from poor areas so the community feels entitled to the riches when one of "their own" makes it@@rebeccaconlon9743

[@1950Archangel]

No! HE KNEW THE TRUTH OF HIS OWN PEOPLE!!! He HAD faith that they would continue to be what they have ALWAYS been everywhere! A BURDEN, and corrupt and violent BURDEN on all around them! STOP making excuses and recognize reality! That Nigerian did! Why won't you?

[@SR-iy4gg]

I don't think you understand what he is saying.@@1950Archangel

[@michaelmurphy2112]

That sounds like what some people are trying to push in the USA. Instead of telling young people to work hard and possibly start their own business, they're being told to blame the wealthy for their problems and that it's the fault of the business owners that they can't succeed.

[@Kevin-fq3zh]

one word… corruption

[@LeeTheKnight]

Every continent has corruption but still manages some form of progress. Africa is uniquely stuck for the reason addressed in the video.

[@bankrollace8737]

​@@LeeTheKnightpoor countries are more corrupt. You fail to realize that....

[@robertmills3830]

​@@bankrollace8737India was known for its corrupt bureaucracy and was almost ra**d by UK during colonial times. Yet you visit India today and it's incredible how much progress they have made. Japan, Korea, Germany, France, Russia were destroyed after world war 2, they recovered swiftly and dominate the world within few decades. The reason for Africa's failure is exactly the same as to why they have never contributed anything towards, science, architecture, art, engineering, food etc. It's genetics!

[@mm-qq7bb]

​ Although colonialism played a big part, if you research about Africa's history you realize that Africa wasn't doing that much better before colonization anyway. So my theory is that Africa is destined for stagnation because the general population has less average IQ compared to the rest of the world.

[@theultimateartist4153]

@@robertmills3830 I could same the same about Eastern Europe

[@etienneterblanche9717]

I'm South African, in our case corruption that's entrenched in almost every facet of society, the economy, the government, etc, is the main culprit. However, it doesn't stop there, there's also the mindset of Africa to look towards the past, there's very little planning for the distant future, colonialism is still blamed for almost everything. I have yet to hear an African politician say:"I was wrong, I made bad choices." African politicians don't lead, they "mislead". Also the tribalism that's still to this day very much part of most of the continent. Even when the African electorate get the chance at free and fair elections, they somehow mostly elect the worst of a bad lot. Those Africans who reach the pinnacle of their trade, often as medical professionals, engineers, etc,are simply so disillusioned with a hopeless situation, they leave for Europe or America where they don't have to be under the yoke of stupid politicians, but have the freedom to reach full potential. Finally, if colonialism was so at fault why is Liberia and Ethiopia, both never colonized, no better off, why is Haiti, not on the continent of Africa, but about 99% descendents of African slaves, independent for almost 200 years, now a failed state and also the poorest country in the Western hemisphere?

[@derikuk2967]

Ek het jare gelede (voor 1990) getrek, want ek kon die huidige k*khoop sien kom. Baie mense wou my nie glo nie. "The yoke of stupid politicians" het toeka se dae al onder die NP Broeders bestaan, so dis nie uitsluitlik 'n rasse-oorsprong nie; maar ek stem saam dat daar 'n beduidende genetiese komponent in die brousel is.

[@LetsBeSeriouslol]

They may leave for Europe, but there is nobody who waits for them in Europe. WIth antiimmigrant politics raising across Europe is bad choice.

[@SteinerNein]

You should probably look into the history of Haiti before speaking of the country, you should also look at Ethopia's history too, just at a basic level because it's pretty obvious why those two countries would struggle. It's almost as if you have no fucking clue what you're talking about.

[@RonSafreed]

It looks like "narcissism" is rampant in the black populations of Africa!! Such folk have poor family relations & poor friendships, poor work-mates, poor community relationships, the list goes on &on!!

[@lynch8418]

Well said 🙌🏾

[@hmaina0]

To think that colonialism has ended in Africa is utter ignorance.

[@DirectorHMAN]

It has. The last country to be colonised was America. They are doing pretty well for themselves considering, they even kicked out the British in 1776. Unfortunately the true enemy of the people. The globalist elites are taking advantage of Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Western countries. They are not colonisers just pure parasites.

[@TheBlackcular]

100% right

[@balafama2120]

Colonialism is not the reasons why you have no stable electricity, good roads and safe streets and good hospitals .Just stop the lies. This blaming colonialism for everything with no other solution is why Africa continues to decay.Western nations give billions in aid ,where does it go to?

[@zurielsss]

Britain , France, Germany, Spain are all former Roman colonies. You don’t see them whining about how it kept them from thriving.

[@THEonionsack]

Imagine a world where intellectual giants like Thomas Sowell were revered as much as fraudulent grifters like Ibram X. Kendi.

[@Mr94Jr]

True. Sadly most Africans never heard of Sowell, Hayek, Friedman etc. Africa is full of Marxist ideologs like Che Guevara, Lenin, Mao etc. The late George B Ayittey was a good one too

[@sdm6054]

Never going to happen. People like fraudsters too much. They like their biases confirmed, especially if it's by a hate filled fraudster. The problem with Sowell is that he speaks far too much truth and is far too logical. He needs to start making shit up, then he will be revered like Ibram...

[@frosty3693]

Thomas Sowell is a major reason race cannot be as the only reason for the failures.

[@jfkst1]

Sowell is an anomaly. Africa has too many natives and not enough capable chiefs. A few anomalies can't make everything happen.

[@joskarifinaukr6503]

@@frosty3693 Exceptions to the rule do not disprove the rule.

[@stacyscott2720]

The United States was once a colony. If you go far back enough England was a colony of the Roman Empire. Your past doesn’t determine your future. The present does.

[@kenlewis2253]

The US was never a colony in that sense. We were colonizers from the beginning. Our relationship to England was that of a territory, not that of a subjected people.

[@chillyavian7718]

@@kenlewis2253… by definition we were a subjected people, subjects to the crown and it’s tyrannies

[@leonkleber5009]

Weird stretch

[@svr5423]

@@kenlewis2253 USA is a bunch of several colonies that evolved over time. Even the indians immigrated form Asia.

[@geordiewishart1683]

What tyrannies did the British crown bring to America? Taxation without representation? Taxation in America was at a lower rate than imposed in Britain, few inhabitants of which could vote. And what little taxation was imposed was to help pay for the navy which guaranteed the security to trade etc. If you are educationally able, you should try reading books

[@jay-by1se]

britan was a Roman colony, the USA was also a British colony, Canada, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Colombia, California, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina... All colonies. So just being a colony isn't the reason. The people and how they reacted to it are the reason..if Africa was left alone, it would still look the same. People need to build their own countries and work together. That just doesn't happen in Africa.

[@derekcash3608]

"britan was a Roman colony, the USA was also a British colony, Canada, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Colombia, California, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina... All colonies." The one thing in common here is that the areas you named arent continents. Most of these areas also werent rich in specific, natural resources, which Europeans went after like what took place in Africa. "if Africa was left alone, it would still look the same." Thats not true. The video even names a country that has broken records for its economic growth. "People need to build their own countries and work together. That just doesn't happen in Africa." Again, not true. Africa is a continent, with many countries and there are countries that are stable and financially well off.

[@arspsychologia4401]

@@derekcash3608 Have you seen that documentary about a Chinese railroad manufacturer sending a representative to some African country to coordinate with their local representative for the project? It quickly turns into a comedy, with the Chinese guy just complaining about how much Africa and the people there suck and how that makes it hard to do rail work there.

[@derekcash3608]

@@arspsychologia4401 "Have you seen that documentary about..." It sounds like your point is that a representative, for a Chinese, railroad manufacturer, complained about the entire continent of Africa, after dealing with the representatives of an African country. You shared this with me because of my post. So what does that have to do with my point that there are many stable and financially secure countries in Africa?

[@arspsychologia4401]

@derekcash3608 My reason for bringing it up is he makes good points. As for "stable and financially secure", lots of terrible places meet those requirements depending on the definition you use; you didn't say whether it was a good place to live. Also, including countries that border the Mediterranean counts as cheating, they generally don't consider themselves African and have a very different history.

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

I love it how throughout all the comments there are so many apologists trying to rationalize the across-the-board failure of Africans to govern themselves, be productive and work together to do so. Look at the former Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Before independence Rhodesia was the largest food exporter in Africa. After independence, Mugabe expelled all the white farmers and nationalized their farms ... which were then neglected, vandalized, looted and left to turn to brush. All the white farmers fled to South Africa and now Zimbabwe imports 95% of its food ... from the very farmers they expelled. I think there is something lacking in the character of Sub-Saharan blacks which hinders their abilities. Now the unofficial campaign slogan of the South African ANC is "kill the whites." So drive all farmers from Africa and STARVE???? Black political policy seems to be a bit backward. By the way, name ONE invention by a black person in Sub-Saharan Africa which is used around the world daily as part of our modern repertoire of comfort and delicacies. Get back to me when you find it.

[@joelle8201]

The amount of crime and corruption in Africa is unreal. Had a friend who went to Africa as part of a cultural exchange. When they landed at the airport the security guards would not let them through unless they paid the equivalent of £100 per person for the “legal entry fee” they did pay the money but if it had been me I’d have just got the plane back home…

[@chuckpotter1209]

I have lived in three African countries. Two reason I have found why Africa is so poor is: 1. Extensive and generational corruption. The rare earth minerals and oil revenue only goes to a few politicians, not to further educational needs or infrastructure. 2. The government is heavily multi-layered, bureaucratic and excessive regulations (to pay people in the middle along the processes). Great video by the way.

[@Rick55749]

1. How come these politicians keep getting upheld? Because it is in the best interest of western nations that they stay in power, they sell cheaply the resources to western countries, that’s why western countries can remain rich, they take advantage of developing countries, cheap labour and resources and bad regulations in those countries. which leads to 2. Africa is very much short of regulations, unsafe working conditions, child labour, unfair wages, and therefore exploitation by some of the west’s companies, leading to unequal exchange between the west and Africa. Keeping Africa poor and the west rich, colonialism has ended, yet neo-colonialism is still ongoing.

[@vintce6019]

1. How come these politicians keep getting upheld? Ans: Starving and Uneducated populations are very gullible and don't make good revolutionaries. Their corrupt candidates/politicians can easily appeal to their prejudices by saying "colonialism is the reason why everyone is poor" despite ending long ago and they will believe it and vote for them. Basically just letting the crowd hear what they want to hear. 2. Africa being deprived of justice is very much still their own fault. With leaders always being corrupt and uncaring, it makes sense that foreign companies will exploit any legal gaps and resort to bribery for financial gain.

[@malcolm-danielfreeman5940]

whys it a good video - its a sh*t video africas poverty has something do with colonisation and it played a role - he tried blame marxism -when africa never had marism it had "african socialism" he missed your reasons and one of the most important capitalist corporate colonisation aided by your factors.

[@kehindeakiode2865]

​@@Rick55749Short of regulations, yet overburdened with regulations and red tape that adds no value. I'm convinced that my country at least, would do so much better without meddling politicians and bureaucrats trying to control everyone and everything - which is just to take a slice of every pie - and making life difficult for everyone productive.

[@aytviewer2421]

I have worked long periods in Tanzania. You skipped the biggest issue: CORRUPTION. I can tell you many stories of people wanting bribes just to do their job. It is rampant throughout the country especially within the politicians, polices, and even in places like ticket counters at the airport. There are many good people in Africa, but in my experience many in positions of power expect you to pay some sort of fee for transactions to go smoothly.

[@Law19157]

I wouldn't consider them good if they do nothing about the corruption. He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. If the supposed good people do nothing about corruption then they're complacent in the corruption.

[@Knightmessenger]

Corruption is a natural by product or Marxism.

[@markeastwood74]

My neighbour worked in many African countries and his company had to give him a literal 'get out of jail free' card. An unlimited credit card to use at the airport, when they wanted their bribe to let him leave. No thank you, I'll take my business elsewhere.

[@juliagoodfellow7539]

​@@Law19157the corrupt ones have the guns....

[@vgjunkie8386]

​@@Law19157 tf are they supposed to do about it?

[@Stephanie-lg1cm]

There has been a systematic dismantling of all of the infrastructure put in by Europeans. Bribery and corruption is their biggest issue along with leaders who line their own pockets at the expense of their people. I had a friend who was going back to Zimbabwe for Christmas, he was a nurse and he had to take 2 suitcases of gifts back for family members. He stated that there would still be relatives complaining that he hadn’t spent enough on them. There is an air of resentment and jealousy whenever someone else makes a success of themselves.

[@Jaii1876]

Exactly I call it D. Evil tactic, the devil doesn't force you to do anything he plays on your psyche. Force you to commit the 7 deadly sins (this is human nature to do these things) the Bible is guide to put disciplines in place to fight the exploitation of your mind. I believe Europeans couldn't beat Africans because they were vicious fighters. So they use psyop to make them go against each other then they go in and take what they need. Africans have been using guerrilla warfare tactics for years, not just Ameri Indians as well; Mayans Aztecs too. It was scary so they had to use a different approach deceive

[@rjbmarchiac8693]

An French or Belgian Congolese artist told a similar story: when he returned to Congo for the first time to visit his mother whom he had not seen for years ( he had come to Europe with his father, a little boy), the look she gave him when he gave her his reunion gifts. A look that told him of his uselessness and futility, and a gap in mentality. She expected him to contribute to the economy of his African family as a whole, especially as a recognized artist.

[@BishopEddie5443]

They want you to believe Africans hated each other before the white man came and destroyed our sense of community.This same man (the white man) that benefits from slavery and colonialism is the same one trying to shift blame on Africans and Black people worldwide! He failed to mention all the atrocities his people inflicted on their victims. He also wants us to ignore that his people are the same people stealing gold, diamonds and other resources right now in Africa, and oppressing people around the globe!

[@auspiciousnkomo3071]

I think this is an issue of cultural differences, you guys seem to not understand that most African families are united and intact, the colonizers are still trying to dismantle them and they are succeeding, however my point is that if family is close obviously the elements of entitlement eg my brother or uncle will feel some type of way if I don't bring them something. Mind you overseas west is overrated in Africa, and most guys who are there are depressed because its a rat race, while the small rooms and cold don't make it any better with that racism staring down your throat. As an African I think most of our bros and sis would rather stay in the continent, but they would have quit their jobs this side and as it is overrated that side coming back may be embarrassing for some.

[@rjbmarchiac8693]

​@@auspiciousnkomo3071 The example of this Congolese singer was precisely about the "something" he brought back to his mother on first time he saw her since he was a little boy. He was embarrassed only because he hadn't seen her for many years (I don't remember what their emotional bound was, but I guess it was quite low, as if the father had quitted to never return). He offered her his new CD (I guess among other "small" gifts), because for him, as the man he was (an African or Binational grown in Europe), this object was a testimony alone of what he had socially achieved there in the meantime, an object that would define him before his mother's eye. The mother was expecting a more worthy gift to account for his long absence or his relative wealthy situation in Europe: she was naturally expecting a wad of cash and not of the value of a mere CD and other symbolic trinkets. Or perhaps he should have came with a truck full of kindle wood, Idk. The mother's expectation doesn't exclude some kind of maternal love, and I won't judge, but I think this example is telling something.

[@CdrChaos]

It’s very difficult to build up a continent where most of it seems to constantly be at war with itself.

[@auspiciousnkomo3071]

Yes, let us figure out the issue here. You have for example Rwanda, invading a neighboring country to steal minerals such as coltan, guess who just handed Rwanda millions to house "migrants", and signed a deal for minerals sales, wait a minute Rwanda has no minerals the neighbor being invaded does. Any continent where there are foreign players directly meddling there is bound to be fights. Look at Ukrainne and Russia, if Zelenskyy had sought friendship with Putin and minded Ukrainiann business, they would be sipping tea together right now from Chinese mugs. He allowed to be preyed upon like Kagame and be used to attack his neighbor while the masters sat and pushed the lgbtq+ bill.

[@Gecko17k]

Tribalism and nationalism and corrupt leaders. Very sad!

[@Gecko17k]

​@@auspiciousnkomo3071 great, blame the victims.

[@andybarnett5279]

@@auspiciousnkomo3071 Ukraine is a soveriegn nation. Zelensky had no...nor has no obligations to be friends with Putin. Fck Russian aggression.

[@s.tranger1074]

Having worked as an engineer in Africa I can honestly say that the reason Africa is in a mess is far simpler. It is that too many are lazy.

[@williamreymond2669]

Buddy, you are my man! I was about to write this exact comment except that at the end of Empire of Dust I was feeling sorry for the poor Chinese guy who was having to put up with all of the stupid locals - and they were all genuinely stupid.@secondchance6603

[@magicburzum4048]

🎯🎯🎯I work with blacks and you’re right!

[@Lion-O-Richie2040]

Yes, you worked the whole continent to make that statement…

[@williamreymond2669]

Maybe you could explain what I said that upset you.@@Lion-O-Richie2040

[@HansGruber07]

IQ?

[@Mr94Jr]

While colonialism and neocolonialism may play a role, I wouldn't attribute more than 5% of the blame for impeding growth in Africa to these historical factors. The primary impediment is the pursuit of Marxist ideologies that prioritize the state at the expense of the people. Even in countries that didn't fully embrace Marxist ideology, such as my native Kenya, the inclination has often been to establish a "strong" head of state who frequently rewards his loyalists and tribal affiliates to maintain power. This has led to the prevalent issue of crony capitalism, which has plagued Kenya since gaining independence. When you couple this with the absence of robust institutions, such as a reliable judicial system to ensure checks and balances and protect property rights for ordinary citizens, the consequences are dire. In Nairobi, for instance, one can purchase a piece of land today, only to face eviction within 5-10 years due to fraudulent sales practices.

[@Mr94Jr]

Another challenge that afflicts Africa is the Keynesian approach to economics. According to this theory, governments allocate substantial resources to infrastructure projects to stimulate job creation. However, this often results in increased borrowing, and when governments cannot secure loans, they resort to imposing taxes on already financially strained citizens. In Kenya today, the government has enacted numerous tax laws to fund their so-called "Affordable Housing" and "Affordable Healthcare" initiatives. The majority of Kenyans are struggling, and many businesses are either recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic or have shut down. I pose the question to my fellow citizens: "Why should you place your trust in a government that has mismanaged funds since gaining independence, especially concerning critical aspects of your life?" More taxation leads to greater regulation, which, in turn, expands the government and results in more tax officials harassing ordinary people to enforce outdated tax and regulatory laws. In some instances, starting a business necessitates obtaining over 15 permits from various government agencies, a process that can take years and often involves paying bribes. An expanded government typically correlates with increased corruption.

[@Mr94Jr]

The solution, therefore, lies in the hands of a wise and courageous leader who will undertake significant government downsizing. A country can efficiently function with no more than 5-6 core ministries, focusing on Security, Infrastructure, Commerce, Education, and Transport, along with any other essential areas. The excessive number of agencies and inefficient committees should also be eliminated. This approach will reduce the government's reliance on heavy taxation. Lower taxes translate into more financial freedom for both corporations and everyday citizens, enabling them to take calculated risks in the economy. Lower taxes can, in turn, lead to increased job opportunities and higher wages. While I acknowledge that the situation is not this simple, it represents a strong starting point. I strongly encourage everyone to explore the works of intellectual giants like , either through their writings or video presentations, as they offer valuable insights into economic and governance principles

[@evilsharkey8954]

Authoritarianism is not a component of Marxism.

[@Mr94Jr]

@@evilsharkey8954 Mao Zedong, Vladmir Lenin, Fidel Castro, Robert Mugabe, Hugo Chavez, Nicolas Maduro, Joseph Stalin, Kim Il-sung, Kim Il-sung, Che Guevara, Mengistu Haile Mariam (They all had one thing in common). There regimes and atrocities are well documented.

[@evilsharkey8954]

@@Mr94Jr Che Guevara was never a head of state. There are plenty of capitalist tyrants, too. Benito Mussolini and Pinochet being well known. Vladimir Putin is a modern one. China’s government today is extremely oppressive even as the economic system has become more capitalistic (all the strongest economies are a mix of socialism and capitalism in differing ratios).

[@martinbisschoff988]

In South Africa I worked for a company supplying cargo vessels with all their needed supplies. Whenever we literally had to take a small truck load of booze to a vessel it was common fact that the vessel had to dock in Nigeria. Why? Because if you did not, the "port authority" folks would find some "problem'....and the vessel had to be restricted from leaving. Some times for weeks at anchor. This was at the lowest level of officialdom. Imagine the "fun" higher up the chain?

[@BishopEddie5443]

They want you to believe Africans hated each other before the white man came and destroyed our sense of community.This same man (the white man) that benefits from slavery and colonialism is the same one trying to shift blame on Africans and Black people worldwide! He failed to mention all the atrocities his people inflicted on their victims. He also wants us to ignore that his people are the same people stealing gold, diamonds and other resources right now in Africa, and oppressing people around the globe!

[@BBZoneasembotop10]

I ve always said that...as Africans we are most responsible for everything

[@Oyzatt]

Partly true. When Mali and Burkina Faso stood up and try to fix their condition, how many threats came from outside to try to sabotage their effort? Know what you’re talking about

[@yangasidziya3245]

​​​​@@Oyzatt Bro this comment section's got me in stitches 🤣, they are parading the most racist white supremacists logic I thought we abandoned in the 1800's, everybody knows every African leader who ever tried to uplift a African nation was systemically assassinated by Economic hitman and the C.I.A, these countries were also forced to pay a colonial tax that has kept those nations on their knees for over 60 years, those West African states you mentioned are starting now to fully cut ties with their colonial masters, this entire video was funny to watch

[@jaimeosbourn3616]

@@Oyzatt Take your own advice

[@ChiangKaiShek-qj5zg]

@@jaimeosbourn3616 you think thats not what happened?

[@jaimeosbourn3616]

@@ChiangKaiShek-qj5zg you think it is?

[@jong4120]

My thoughts are that rampant corruption, inter-tribal and inter-religious strife are some of the main problems that hold Africa back. As a Singaporean, our government especially cracks down on these 3 problem areas.

[@johangouws8855]

Agree, tribalism is a huge factor in Africa

[@ProudTurkroach]

Singapore did a great job at managing interracial conflicts

[@christine-ep4bx]

there are some very 'unusual' churches in African countries. Some have huge congregations

[@ausbare140]

How much aid does Africa get each year? Maybe if the free hand outs stopped people would have incentive to work.

[@dmeric6813]

Probably the best thing for Africa is trade, not aid. Getting rid of Marxist ideas and practices would have to be implemented first.

[@brother1ray]

Yes, this is what psychologists call "learned helplessness" and dependency on Foreign Aid has made this far worse!

[@jfkst1]

Would make zero difference.

[@derikuk2967]

Many local industries cannot achieve economic take-off when they have to compete against the *"free"* imports of (well-intentioned?) foreign "aid".

[@kurtsudheim825]

They do work, not all but some. Bit they're exploited. If they didn't work, explain how they Jane a high rate of child labour. Look at chocolate industry, 90% of worlds cocoa comes from Togo, Ghana & ivory Coast, go through so the steps to get chocolate. It's as intensive labour as those harvesting herbs in India or olives in the Mediterranean, but why do olive farmers make more than cocoa garnets, it's not that they aren't working hard. They're working for less money

[@rongwu-sj9ws]

I've never been to Africa, but have a friend who has worked there for a long time. He had an interesting take on it, saying that it's because there are no winters in Africa. So people don't have to prepare food in advance for the long, hard winters like ethnic groups in the northern hemisphere do, which leads to a less future-oriented African culture, and he told me privately that he thought the "lack of winter stress" led to the fact that African people are generally a little less hard-working than their Asian counterparts. I don't know if it was politically correct for him to say that, I'm just relaying an opinion.

[@heniakonas9439]

I have lived there and it is true!! Also they are governed, very badly, by absolute thieves who steal as much as possible because they know they will soon be replaced by a new bunch of thieves.

[@halfdome4158]

😃😃😃😃😃😃😃Yeah, that's the answer.

[@eastbow6053]

so you are basically saying that european people and asian people are the peak of humanity in terms of genetics cause their survival mode had been activated because of winter?

[@rongwu-sj9ws]

@@eastbow6053 Uh, that's too hard to answer. I just thought it was interesting what that friend said, he said that this is the reason why, in general, the northern hemisphere is a bit more developed than the southern hemisphere (South Africa and Australia, and even South America, which was founded mainly by European immigrants)

[@rmartinson19]

@@eastbow6053 Pretty sure he said nothing about genetics and was relaying a comment about culture stemming from environmental factors. I don't know if you know this, but culture has nothing to do with genetics.

[@creamsiclem4433]

I saw a TED talk from a former member of the Canadian version of the Peace Corps. They installed a fresh water system in a small village in Africa. When they showed the locals how it worked, they already knew because it was exactly the same as the one the Peace Corps had installed years ago. It had failed due to the lack of technology to maintain it. Throwing money and effort at a problem does nothing if there is no thought to making it sustainable.

[@briancasey4917]

Kudos to Sowell, he's been saying this for years and kudos for you giving him credit.

[@atlanteum]

As a long-time devout follower of St. Sowell [I say that for humor, but mean it from the bottom of my heart], I would remind folks that Sowell repeatedly shines a light on the real culprit in most social failures: CULTURE, not race. Someone earlier in this thread posted that [Africans] "lack nothing but good leadership." I disagree. They also appear to lack the will to fight AND DIE to overthrow the corrupt leaders responsible for such poverty, generation after generation. That, too, comes down to culture, and it's not unique to the nations of Africa. If you are unwilling to die for freedom, you will probably not enjoy it - for long. Trust me... tyrants are pressing that very issue, here and now, in America. I suspect it won't be long before we are forced to learn whether we still have the will to maintain our freedom, as well.

[@brentcuerrier5789]

For once that I disagree with Sowell,but you think he is right about geography being the reason..I know that low average IQ is the actual reason because I ,unlike Sowell ,am not black and I am not biased towards my own race...of course I can admit that northern asians have higher average IQ than whites?

[@ryanrodriguez7664]

​@@atlanteumA man once said, "Give me liberty or GIVE ME DEATH."

[@ThePerpetualStudent]

It is the culture of laziness. I remember reading after the apartheid they were given giant farms and giant mines. What did they do? They sold off the equipment. This is just one of many examples.

[@randomnobodovsky3692]

Bullshit. Or rather two: 1st one is "culture of laziness", 2nd one is "they" (there is no monolithic "they"). How do I know it? Because exact same thing happened during the transformation to capitalism in many former Warsaw Pact countries: Elites/thieves (basically synonyms) sold for scrap a lot of what was "privaticized" (read as: stolen from the people). Every rapid change of sociopolitical system is great opportunity for thieves and bad time for hard workers. Meanwhile, Polish workers are and were known all over western/northern Europe as anything but lazy.

[@thealienwatcher540]

This is a lie, it's racist and you know it. Africans are the most hardworking people you'll ever meet. Despite slavery being bad even the slave owners preferred Africans becoz they were more hardworking and more tolerant to hard conditions. This was literally quoted during the Civil war in America by the Confederates. After the Apartheid the South African's were forced to do it. In order to get their freedom they would have compensate the settlers, selling the euipments was a better option. Do you really think the boers just left like that with zero strings attached? Failure to do this would have led to sanctions or Political interference. Let me give examples in 1825 France forced Haiti to pay150 million francs for colonialism. In 1987 France aided a Coup against Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso for failing to agree to their Terms and Conditions of Colonial Compensation. In 1961 the CIA (USA) & the Belgium gov't aided a Televised humiliating assassination against Patrice Lumumba of DRC Congo(It's even here on KZbin) for being an ally of the Soviets and refusing to terms and conditions for colonial compensation. You may not know this but Many African countries were forced to pay their colonial masters for colonialism in order to get their 'Freedom' despite having fought it. Besides, Selling off the equipment was a wise decision especially for uneducated people. FYI Most Africans were uneducated at the time of their Independence. What do you expect uneducated person to do with something they don't have skills to operate? They also inherited nukes and preferred to disarm it rather than toy with something so dangerous they didn't understand.

[@apemoon1731]

​@@randomnobodovsky3692 The original commenter is right; it's a culture of laziness. They'd rather steal than actually put some effort in and take some responsibility. It's the same story the world over.

[@apemoon1731]

​@@thealienwatcher540😂😂

[@ThePerpetualStudent]

@@randomnobodovsky3692 I stand by what I said. This is from anecdotal evidence as well as my first hand accounts. Not all but the mass majority is lazy. Same thing happened in Rhodesia. They didn’t want to farm for profit only to farm for their family. Now they are begging for white farmers to come back.

[@williamreymond2669]

In parts of Africa right now there is a rush for rare earth minerals, particularly in the Congo for cobalt. You have probably heard about the exportation of child laborers in the awful, privative mines there. You know about 'blood diamonds' it is like that only worse. Why is it like that? It is because the Africans who are normally in control of the situation prefere to send [I mean exploit] children to labor in the cobalt mines rather than pay for a bulldozer to do the same job. Cruel but true, in Africa the lives of children are so cheap that only white people on distant continents actually care about them.

[@chrisclarke4541]

They knock out far too many kids.

[@piman9280]

The "Out of Africa" theory of the so-called "Ascent of man" most likely refers to getting the hell out of there to have a better life.

[@jillsipocz3582]

If they care so much, maybe they should stop getting a new cell phone every year; which increases the demand for these minerals and metals.

[@chrisclarke4541]

@@jillsipocz3582 Well. I've had my Samsung A50 for about seven years now and if i do eventually need to replace it. I will recycle it.

[@samuellourenco1050]

​@@jillsipocz3582Your stupid take, because cobalt is only essential to the manufacture of LiCoO batteries. LiFePO4 batteries are an alternative. Blame the manufacturers and not the users. As a fabricator, I don't use cobalt, tantalum and other elements that only can be found in Africa.

[@johnb.johnson1490]

just bribed a police officer on my way to Uganda & there's no way you can fight their system, corruption is a demon.

[@malcolm-danielfreeman5940]

police corruption usually comes from poor pay - govt dont tax enough . Prob not tax businss enough or not enough business.economy to tax? or corrupt govt ?

[@Frenchylikeshikes]

As an exemple, South America was also colonized, yet nowadays they are economically decent countries, and certainly do not play victim and blame Spain everytime something goes wrong. They take accountability. The same goes for many Asian ex European colonies. Africa is stuck in the past and always blame colonialism for everything that happens to them.

[@RaptorOfTheWest]

Latin America is extremely corrupt and is constantly dealing with internal violence and strife to the point where they consistently rank as being one of the deadliest places on earth. Not really the smoking gun you think it is.

[@redf7209]

It makes life a lot easier for its leaders if they blame colonialism for everything. A lot of the population is very young and were not around, so don't realize how far their country declined since independance.

[@andretait2817]

Africa is like that 30-year-old child that lives at home and does nothing all day, but smoke weed and get his girlfriend pregnant and then blames his parents for having a shitty life. Even though they still feed him and let him use the car.

[@NgceboNdlovu-no6uq]

@@redf7209 This guy is lying. The problem is leadership, the government simply does not care. They care more about their own benefits than the dwellers of the nations. This problem can only change if the right leader is elected in all the the different countries. I'm a South African( this is a country not the south part of Africa) so I know what I'm talking about

[@Gecko17k]

Africans (not the north Africans) are different. Their ancestors stayed behind when our ancestors left Africa and moved into the whole rest of the (non-frozen) land of Earth. Maybe something changed leaving Africa.

[@KarunanithiNRamachandran]

It is always easier and convenient to blame someone else for one's shortcomings .

[@puraLusa]

It's called scape goat, be it a minority or a historical event.

[@Oyzatt]

I’m an African, and I can tell you that the reason our continent is still poor till date is because of the Europeans countries and America, that relentlessly keep stealing resources from the continent. They don’t only steal resources, they put in place corrupt leaders that do their bidding for them

[@walkingstick6655]

Political fractiousness, coups d'etat, dictatorships, massive corruption, entrenched foreign companies have also not helped, I would say.

[@TonyMarselle]

Nailed it

[@jfkst1]

Those are all results of a cause. What do you think is the cause?

[@walkingstick6655]

@@jfkst1 Hmm. Methinks you have an agenda, here. Each of these could be causes for any of the others. I think you are trying to find or hang everything off of some "original" cause. I don't think you can pin this or any of this on colonialism. For instance, you do know, don't you, that African slavery started in Africa long before any European was involved. One of the richest men in the world was an East Coast African who enslaved/sold fellow Africans. Slavery still exists in Africa and not because of any legacy of Europeans being involved.

[@jfkst1]

@@walkingstick6655 My agenda is the truth. The truth is that genetics is a long transformation process that will not be altered in our lifetimes.

[@walkingstick6655]

@@jfkst1 Oh. boy. Genetics. So, let me guess...you're saying all the ills of Africa are because of the genetics of Africans?

[@josephwinner5110]

As a Nigerian I think one of the major problem with Nigeria is that there is corruption almost everywhere. Just look at the February 2023 election in Nigeria. When it comes to election the politicians knows how disunite everyone.

[@henryluebberstedt7819]

There are a few more examples: China, India, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Bangladesh - all these countries have suffered greatly from colonialism, economic exploitation and the most brutal wars. Sixty years ago, they were so-called Third World countries. Today, many of them are leaders in the global economy. And why its Botswana doing so well? From my point of view all these countries have three things in common: they fight corruption very hardly, they guarantee an independent legal system with legal certainty for citizens, they take taxes seriously and invest these taxes foremost in education and health care. Corruption is the root for a downfall of a country. Always. Look at Russia.

[@suddhadasi]

China was colonized? By whom?

[@keesvankooten1092]

@@suddhadasi Germany, England, France, Portugal, Russia Pretty mutch every european power.

[@suddhadasi]

@@keesvankooten1092 really? China was colonized by all those countries? I lived on chinese border for years and never heard of it

[@Akrus15]

„Look at Russia“ - what is there to see? Russia was in the 90s on the level of Congo and where is it now? Do you think Russians live that bad? Propaganda is strong with this one lol

[@Comments1-vc8jg]

China was forced to allow colonial powers into their country. If Yalu go to Shanghai today there’s the “French Quarter” which had been set aside for the French. Look into the opium trade and the influence Britain had on China. In all fairness, China was a mess in the 1800s thru mid 1900s but almost all of that was of their doing. Mao really screwed up that country….capitalism saved it!

[@incomitatus]

A Kenyan family in town that I'm friends with, came here to the states in 1983. They began selling cheap trinkets & hand-made rugs on the streets of our city. Today they own 12 stores in our city (in lower Ohio) & are among the city's wealthiest & most popular, entrepreneurs. It didn't hurt them at all that they were also lovely people & good neighbors. The whole family, including their 2 little girls, worked their butts off from 6am to 10pm every day, to get where they are, but hard work, no matter where you come from, pays off in the long run. I'm proud to call the father of this family, my best friend. He & I are planning on taking a trip to Kenya next year, so he can show me his country, which he's extremely proud of.

[@brentcuerrier5789]

How unusual for black people,these people are really the exception to the rule...

[@thebluescaptain]

"Extremely proud of" Yet he left it no? These "motivational" comments are always bullshits due to inconsistencies like this.

[@philipalcock9867]

Are your Kenyan friends black or Asian?

[@incomitatus]

Black, Kikuyu ethnicity. He's also Christian. His two-story brick house has a huge American flag with a smaller flag of Kenya beside it. @@philipalcock9867

[@malcolm-danielfreeman5940]

@@philipalcock9867 or white ?

[@sanghoonlee5171]

I do business with several African countries. By and large, people who live there don't seem to think colonialism is the cause of their countries' ruin.

[@Comments1-vc8jg]

That’s reassuring. Then again, you are doing business with people who are gainfully employed. What have they got to complain about, right? Lol. Once somebody gets a good job or wins the lottery they stop complaining.

[@studyingADHD]

That's because they don't typically study neocolonialism or colonialism, and neither do Americans/Europeans. But a greater analysis of African history and modern society reveals the impact of colonial powers on its stagnation, politically and economically. I'm a grand-daughter of a former African Minister of Finance. He wrote several books on how colonialism has shaped and destabilized the country's economy. Those who are educated understand the impacts of colonization.

[@balafama2120]

@@studyingADHD While it might have played a role 60 yrs ago ,as time goes on the impact of colonialism is 10% of the issue facing Africa. If we are being honest and not just trying so hard to dodge the elephants in the room.

[@studyingADHD]

​@@balafama2120 False. Sixty-years is a very short period of time. Any country that has been ravaged by colonialism will struggle to come up within such a short period of time, without particularly favorable circumstances. I come from a family of African politicians who have written several books on how colonialism and Neo-colonialism has impacted my home country, politically and economically. It takes a certain level of higher education to really understand how colonial powers and their impacts play into our modern issues. You likely know little to nothing about modern-day African politics. That is sort of evident in the way that you refer to no country specifically, just "Africa". As if each African country is facing the same issues.

[@Nubialady32]

​​​ @@balafama2120 Africa is still neo colonised, just be honest, if the government built factories Africans and villagers will work hard long hours and built up their country easily in 20 years. All what Africa needs is unity and good leaderschip that guide the population, industrialize, argiculture, powerful defense, tech, free school and healthcare..

[@wildlifebotswana2630]

I agree we have our problems. But thiz sounds like telling Black Americans to forget about slavery because it happened long time ago. Colonization affected our African countries so much and we are still paying for it.

[@studyingADHD]

African countries largely gained independence only a few decades ago 🤣 and they really want to pretend that colonialism does not significantly contribute to the current state of their economies lmao

[@hemaccabe4292]

One reason? Corruption. Period. That simple.

[@roberts3423]

also known as "Democracy"

[@thesis-and-nieces6722]

What i see people do alot is make africa sound like one country, when they make their arguments for colonialism. Africa is huge with many rival tribes, resources as the video says. Different races between location to location. Internal fighting in some places, enslaving each other in other places, values and societal structures differ from place to place.

[@ilikethiskindatube]

The British started work on the Cape Town, South Africa to Cairo, Egypt railway. If finished it would have been the largest and most important railway of Africa, but thanks to the Great Depression and Decolonisation it was never finished. That would've been very helpful to overcome the geographical challenges, connect the continent top to bottom.

[@gaius_enceladus]

@ilikethiskindatube - That sounds awesome - thanks for that! I had never heard of that railway project! I knew of the railway that was built through the Sudan in the late 1890s for Kitchener's forces fighting the Mahdi. The Cape Town to Cairo railway would have been like the railways across Canada and the US. Both of those allowed development across vast distances.

[@1950Archangel]

And then the Africans would have done what they ALWAYS do! Steal and sell the metal of the tracks so the trains derail, and then steal everything off the rail cars. THEY STILL DO IT TODAY!! Will you not recognize reality?

[@ram1011]

Just see what the Britishers did to Hong Kong...I am pretty sure they would have developed at least 3-4 Hong Kong's in Africa!

[@samuellourenco1050]

They could have it finished by themselves. No one was keeping them.

[@samuellourenco1050]

​@@ram1011Impossible because of the people.

[@LeoBlight]

It’s always good to get this type of information in why Africa is the way it is in just 3 minutes. As someone that has spent decades studying Africa i can tell you that just listening to some guy on KZbin is the correct way to go especially if you want to learn absolutely nothing!

[@TboneWTF]

From what I've learned Africa is a nation of despots and self appointed leaders that exploit the resources for their own gain while oppressing the people. Is this an inaccurate description?

[@malcolm-danielfreeman5940]

the guys biased and the videos shit - it leaves out alot of other reasons - go though comments

[@Shlongclock]

My dad is building warehouses and stuff in Austria. Once he was at a potential new customers production facility, and weirdly enough they where printing phone-prepaid cards for Nigeria, if i remember right. Not even prepaid-cards sold in Austria are made here cause its way cheaper to produce them in other places. Turns out the owner of the company got in contact with some government-official , invited him and his family to Vienna for a Week or so and gave them company credit cards to buy whatever they wanted, so they gave him the business despite for sure not being the cheapest option

[@Ork20111]

The marxims thing may be a big part of it. But I also bet on corruption, poor leadership and tribal mentality. There is another example how colonism can't be the issue. Colonism ended about 70 years ago. In some cases 60. In 1945 germany was in ruins. 50% of housings were destroyed. All production means were captured by the allies. 4 million, mostly young men were dead. And still germany went from a rubble field two the world third biggest economy in less about half the time that passed since the end of colonism.

[@terywetherlow7970]

Yes, and rich daddy USA sent our military over to reconstruct the debris of war. That debt was never paid back.....

[@EmIly-xz2yd]

As did Japan and South Korea. But they're on a similar latitude to Germany. One of the commenters mentioned about the soil being bad in hot countries. They may have a point.

[@aoeu256]

Germany still had many factories around and was rebuilt from money by the Marshal plan. 50% of housing being destroyed... sounds like an exaggeration, why would Germany refuse to surrender so long?

[@aoeu256]

@@EmIly-xz2yd Marshall plan?

[@malcolm-danielfreeman5940]

Marxism will have nothing to do with it - Marx criticsed all forms or bourgeoise socialism and also anarchists - he was proved right in every case. Thats specifically why he called his ideology communism in opposition to those socialisms. Any movement that is not lead by workers or at least put workers in control of and forefront of it isnt marxist or communist let alone socialist. Govt can have marxist ideas any of the few govt in africa youre talking of isnt marxist its socialist at best

[@steinarhaugen7617]

Norway was colonized for almost 500 years until 1905. Today we are one of the world's richest countries.

[@bennyklabarpan7002]

500 years? The last Norwegian king died in 1319. Even today they are a colony, german king and a washington approved government. Culture is by far the biggest factor when it comes to wealth. Korea was nothing but rubble 70 years ago, worse off than all african nations, today superior to them all.

[@robwilde855]

Only because of the lemming exports.

[@Pumpherstonsmith]

@@bennyklabarpan7002 Yeah we all know how Washington approves of Socialist governments like the one in Norway. What a muppet.

[@bennyklabarpan7002]

@@Pumpherstonsmith Scandinavian countries are much closer to crony capitalism than socialism. They have more wealth inequality than saudi arabia, russia and america. Their "socialist" policies only exist to keep the poor poor and the rich rich

[@Nubialady32]

Africa continent will also free it self and rise up.....

[@aziranaviera609]

Thomas Sankara was the president of Burkina Faso until he was assasinated but he was living proof that something was wrong in African society. When he was president the illiteracy rate decreased, he encouraged woman to have jobs and he cared about his own people , during an interview he once said aid isn't what Africa needs but guidance. And it's kind of true like how china comes to Africa and build hospitals, roads and government buildings while the UN just sends money and Aid.

[@balafama2120]

china isn't building those things for free. China bots come online spewing that nonsense.china is exploiting Africa .Giving them loans while the contracts are giving to chinese who also import low skilled labor, don't invest much of their earnings into the African economy and do the job with the cheapest material and no transfer of technology .WIN WIN they say. yeah,right.

[@Saint_Ann]

As my grandfather (born 1894) used to say, “poor people have poor ways.”

[@a.f.7246]

And poor diets

[@malcolm-danielfreeman5940]

studies show poor people make poor decisions compared to wealthier people

[@Nubialady32]

Neo colonization is not African population decision stop looking for dumb excuses.....

[@MaternalUnit]

When I was in Zimbabwe 25 years ago, it was called the Switzerland of Africa. Mugabe's govt had done a good job promoting stability and providing better services for Zimbabweans. A couple of years later, Mugabe ruined the country. I asked a professor there why Zimbabwe was so much more prosperous than other post-colonial African countries. Without hesitating, she said it was because Zimbabwe kept its Whites. As a White American talking to a Black woman, I was perplexed and somewhat embarrassed. But later I understood, and it had nothing to do with racial or cultural superiority. The large commercial farms in Zimbabwe were owned by Whites, who sold much of what they produced to Europe. The farms were highly profitable and they paid income taxes to Zimbabwe. After Mugabe later ran the Whites out and divided their farms up amongst veterans, each farm was big enough only for subsistence farming or commercial farming at a small scale. Without the big commercial farms, the tax revenue was gone. The eventual result was famine.

[@Constantinus213421]

Interesting take, but I saw a documentary around here about Zimbabwe and its failure: it was mainly about corruption and incompetence.

[@dv8ug]

It has everything to do with racial thus cultural superiority of Whites.

[@peachesandcream22]

@@dv8ug I highly believe that your ancestors were mostly peasants who lived in poor conditions and didn't know how to write or read. I remind you that the majority of White population had been going through "White slavery" like feudalism, until 1789, and serfdom, until 1861 (which is relatively young for human history). And also, the race doesn't equate the culture. Western Europe and Eastern Europe aren't that much different in genetics, but they're not equal in culture. I'm telling you that as an Eastern European. Cope harder, "superior"😂

[@dropdog395]

Thanks. I didn't realize that the economies of 54 countries could be explained in less than 4 minutes.

[@jeffspicolli593]

South Africa under ANC has more than 20,000 murders annually.

[@sanjayr7977]

I am going to throw in my two cents worth since everybody else is. Which countries and people that never developed a written language of their own succeeded? I can't think of any. People that never developed a written language always seem to be stuck in time.

[@mardyroux8136]

The truth you speak is often hidden in the way many people are desperate to include the Mediterranean countries that just happen to reside on the northern end of the vast African continent with the main continent which is sub-Saharan. When speaking of the woes of africa it's best to say "sub-Saharan" in front of it. You're right....they never got to developing writing or the wheel in SSA. Quite the opposite for Mediterranean nations!

[@Knightmessenger]

Switzerland doesn't have its own language, just 3 of the countries it borders.

[@EstaJeanette-nk7fj]

​@@mardyroux8136 Ethiopia has a written language. There is a written language from Nigeria called insibidi. You are talking just because you can talk. Nothing you say makes any sense

[@mardyroux8136]

@@EstaJeanette-nk7fj Insibidi is a proto-written language. It doesn't represent the written form of a spoken language. Ethiopia is not sub-Saharan.

[@EstaJeanette-nk7fj]

@@mardyroux8136 as google for the list of subsaharan Africa countries. None of what you say even makes sense.

[@dmacarthur5356]

Very complex question that has to be answered not so much on the continental scale but individual nation. Some are victims of marxist ideology, sone are just pure government corruption, some are due to countries like France still in control of the currency, and some are due to political instability. In most cases its a combination of all the issues. Either way colonialism like it or not gave a lot of these countries many resources and infrastructure to be successful and they squandered it away.

[@RonSafreed]

During colonialism, infrastructure was built, roads, railroads, bridges, electric power, telegraph/telephone, radio, schools, industry, seaports, airports e.c.t. & in many countries after independence these things were not maintained & deteriorated in the years & decades after independence!!

[@malcolm-danielfreeman5940]

Explain which countries and how they are "victims" of marxist ideology.

[@Nothing-fp7jg]

Don't forget the colonizing that happened before Europeans. Also many African countries went the way of socialism due to the cold war and the influence of the soviet union.

[@smplfi9859]

So did the moslem countries. Turkey, Iran, and Qatar, are heavily and openly socialist. The moslem world also practiced piracy long after it was banned by Christian Europe. Thomas Jefferson ended the arab pirates marauding and stealing from American and European ships with our colonial navy. When Jefferson asked the barbery pirate leader 'why do you do this to Americans, we have no legacy in the middle east' , he said 'islam gives us the right to dominate infidels (non-moslems)'

[@elgrandefleau7359]

Yes, but that was not an issue, look at Libya, it went full on socialist, and yet they thrived, because they had a strong and capable leader. This is what Africa lacks, leadership.

[@Oyzatt]

Europe too was in a mess. Is not only Africa that was in tough times

[@malcolm-danielfreeman5940]

Ar, another ignorant stupid anti socialist american. Its called african socialism if youre name calling but its unlikely true socialism. But dont worry , usa took out every govt that might be left wing or semi socialist. One country that ruins your myth is Burkina Faso who did manage to implement something like socialism and by alll accounts improved everything until leader taken out.

[@abramswee]

They need a strong leader much like Lee Kwan Yew to lead them out of poverty, unite the people and get rid of corruption. Look at Rwanda, Paul Kagame is doing a great job managing his country, turning it from a war-torn country into a "Singapore of Africa' state.

[@carlosneves1775]

Absolutely brilliant to make the comparison with Singapore, I've made that argument so often but few here in Bloemfontein seem to want to understand. Kleptocraticy our main reason here in South Africa, Botswana is an example our corrupt rulers don't want to emulate.

[@anthonymorris5084]

Singapore, Hong Kong, Grande Caymen, Bermuda, Barbados, the Bahamas, the UAE to name a few more. Ironically wherever the Europeans (Anglo world) colonized and stayed a paradise was created. Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand.

[@darkstepik]

are you a white person in south africa ? i have the feeling you would do beter to get out of there

[@ShanghaiRooster]

When the British colonised Singapore, it was established specifically to be a trading hub for East Asia and attracted like-minded people of many nationalities to take advantage of that. Africa is not that thing. The analogy is not a good one.

[@AleksandrYgA]

@@anthonymorris5084, absolutely true, anglosaxon's are just the best people in this world. Wouldn't it be great if the angels of democracy instead of just invading would've colonized Iraq, Lybia, Guatemala, Afghanistan, Vietnam and dozens of other countries and built a paradise there? US - robs and keeps at bay the entire world while mutilating their own children on a government level Canada - saluting nazi in a parlament Australia - filled with kangaroos who only wait for a right moment to kick a human's ass Ok, truth be told - kangaroos are not the eurpean's fault. By the way - how Singapore is a good example of building a paradise by colonizers if it started to flourish after leaving the British empire? Was Lee Kuan Yew british agent or something? Did he implement the so-called european value? As far as I know by the european standards he was a dictator.

[@carlosneves1775]

@@ShanghaiRooster I'm referring specifically about South Africa and the same reason different nationalities were brought to Singapore to exploit your location the same reason applies to exploit our resources. The make up of our population makes that clear.

[@lol101lol101lol10199]

Poverty requires no explanation. It is the default state in nature. Wealth and abundance on the other hand can often be trivially explained by pointing to the biggest most obvious cash cow in some place. "Why is Norway rich?", "Why is Saudi Arabia rich?", "Why is Monaco rich?", "Why is Switzerland rich?". But once you start asking "what caused Niger to be poor?" (or Liberia, or Lesotho, or Mali, or Mozambique, or Chad, or either Congo, etc.), you will find that there are at least a dozen different answers and that, in the counterfactual where none of those 12 things happened, the country would probably still be pretty darn poor all the same.

[@ppenmudera4687]

This neglects the biggest factor of Africa's poverty, and it DOES have to do with it's colonial history: global capitalism. The wealthy western nations hold Africa (and the whole global south for that matter) in a constant imperial grasp, while extracting all its natural resources without compensating Africa for it (go research unequal exchange between the west and the rest of the world). Every time a nation tries to break free of this imperial capitalist hold, the western nations, particularly the US, instantly responds by either straight up invading it (like the Middle East) or via CIA-backed coups that install US-friendly dictatorships. Capitalism is, al always, the biggest enemy of not only Africa, but the whole world

[@Dedoverde105]

This guy is unironically comparing a whole continent with 1.2 billion people with a city state of 5 million. Now you should make a video where you unironically claim that the US cannot build public transportation, because it is so vastly different from Europe.

[@AhmedAdly11]

0:25 colonial rule did not end. It just changed face. Don't fool yourselves.

[@jonathanchaney6140]

Just came back from southern Africa and China has taken over

[@gg-bv5qq]

always a victim

[@AhmedAdly11]

@@gg-bv5qq I'm Australian you biggot

[@AhmedAdly11]

@@gg-bv5qq well, when the world's richest countries give all support to military dictators and assassinate good leaders then I guess you are a victim.

[@studyingADHD]

@@gg-bv5qq You're just an anti-intellectual. Neocolonialism in Africa is a well-documented and studied issue. But that's just too nuanced for you. You are simple-minded, clearly.

[@Dr.Cosmar]

The whole story is... humanity has always required infrastructure. The earliest forms of infrastructure were basic earthworks. Removing rocks from a steam to make it more navigable dates back as early as 1100 BC. Nobody ever told them this, or they just refused to do the hard labor that comes before you can trade more easily. Maybe they had once long ago but after it got destroyed in a deluge that definitely happened, they were demoralized until they forgot about it completely. If you can trade more easily, you will have more ideas flowing in and out of your country, enriching your culture, bolstering morality among your populace, and this all serves as a foundation to more progress in ways I can't do justice by covering in a comment. Singapore recognized this during the early periods of colonialism. Just to list three major ones... Singapore River's Straightening and Deepening (1822): To improve navigation and enhance trade, the Singapore River was straightened and deepened in 1822. Construction of Jackson's Bridge (1822): Jackson's Bridge, a vital infrastructure project, was built in 1822 to connect the northern and southern parts of Singapore, promoting better connectivity and trade. Fort Fullerton (1829): Although primarily a military structure, the construction of Fort Fullerton in 1829 also had economic implications by providing security for trade activities in the region. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nobody wants to talk about it, but I'll put it here simply so my comment can get removed. Asians adapted better to the authoritarian attitude of their "colonizers". The guys who came over to Africa said, "ok, we are going to move this river", and the Africans said, "LOL, YOU are gonna do it, I'm gonna try and get you removed so I can be the ruler." Colonizers being another name for all the rich and smart guys of the day who believed they could help a struggling nation's PEOPLE out... that's the key too. They were there to help the people, the government wasn't their concern most times, and just needed to stay out of their way less they make themselves look bad. Therefore, the narrative that they "invaded" to colonize only exists because someone wanted power over that country, and they were an opportunist looking at more powerful nations as easy targets to label "aggressor". Bringing me back to my rather blunt take... African countries did not. Their people could never stop fighting with each other, and were more prone to violence over discussion. They had more individuals who adopted opportunist and borderline pathological attitudes. Africa is impoverish because too many decent people in the world got burned trying to catch them up, and because they sold their people willingly to slave trades for over 500 years. Their own people don't trust the governments that they put in place, and how could they, they definitely aren't going to trust an outside government. So it makes the situation that much more complex. My advice to the rest of the world... don't invest where you can't walk down the street safely. My main point was, "Don't blame their poor coastlinse and geography. That's a cop-out. It's a cultural issue."

[@cattysplat]

The whole of Asia benefitted from European technology whilst also embracing western cultural ideals and government style, so even when the colonists left they still kept their practises and knowledge. African countries once colonialism left, pretty much shunned it and went back to the dark ages.

[@RonSafreed]

Illiteracy & semi-literacy seem to be an "eternal problem" throughout black Africa!!

[@veritecarry7142]

As an extensive traveller and South African the answer is yes! Many Asian countries took what was best from Western world and made it work for them. African don't care. They would rather rot in poverty than be affluent even by means of other influence. 😢 In fact, Europeans get blamed for everything wrong but must dish out the benefits and shut up.

[@mikekolokowsky]

Belief systems aren’t passed through DNA, but they are part of growing up in a certain area. The zeitgeist of a country is integral in how successful the country will be. The Germans lost WWII, but they were ready to accept a democracy because they had one before. Iraq lost Gulf War II, but weren’t ready for democracy right away. The Afghans still aren’t ready. This isn’t anything genetic, it’s a mindset of the populace of the time.

[@Britt-r3r]

Those smart rich guys weren't trying to help anyone but themselves

[@immortaljanus]

Africa has three main liabilities, all stemming from geography: 1. High coasts (no natural ports, few navigable rivers). 2. Position on or close to the equator (deserts, jungle). 3. Malaria infested regions (hard to have a large population and skilled professionals if so many people die from malaria). The real problem that comes from colonization is that borders were drawn by outside players (Europeans), meaning country is shared by tribes/nations who are hostile to one another. This limits how well people "in the same boat" get along.

[@greenmanofkent]

Your last point is the biggest one. Having two or more tribes who hate each other competing to run the same region never ends well. Rwanda is a perfect example.

[@ak-od7mf]

i still dont see how that is a problem, diversity is a strength and a blessing... i thought that everyone who was educated knew that. So this diversity would only strengthen the country... right?...

[@polemeros]

@@ak-od7mf LOL. Right!!!! ;)

[@volbound1700]

@@greenmanofkent issue is that if each tribe had a nation, there would be over 2000 or more and the continent would be broken up and weaken further. Africa never went through the Europa Universalis period like Europe where the continent eventually consolidated into larger more stable countries with a single identify. EU4, for example, has France broken up into Burgundy, Province, Brittany, Orleans, Normandy, Gascony, etc. If France stayed like that, it would have been weak and never grew up. It won 100 years war and united. Similar situation with Germany and Italy in 1800s. Africans, need to drop their tribalism, it is stupid. They need to be Kenyan, Nigerian, etc. to succeed like the Europeans did in the late Medieval/Modern period when they dropped their Celtic/Germanic tribe to be French, English, etc. (Even then, some parts of Europe are still very divided and weak like Eastern Europe).

[@gamestory2834]

The tribe thing seems like a big excuse to me. Numerous other continents have had tribes or nations split by national borders changing, but they still have managed to develop fine and avoid the conflict between groups from interfering with economic and social stability. Colonialism I would imagine had a greater toll on the more historically prosperous African nations, as it stunted their natural growth.

[@theodoremeyer2829]

Corruption, Short term views, laziness, very poor leaders, no resect for the law, voters vote for traditional leaders not quality leaders, no desire to improve and maintain, poor incompetent public service, like to play the blaming game for incompetence etc etc.

[@The-Carpenter]

India was also once occupied, but it slowly and surely moved on. Two atom bombs were dropped on Japan, but they moved on and look at them today. Wherever you see, countries that keep playing the victim card have not moved forward. This is true even for an individual person. Whatever the past, people have a choice to make: grieve or move on.

[@nightking8490]

India was robbed of 45 trillion $ and you say they moved on. Come on !

[@The-Carpenter]

@@nightking8490 Haven't they?

[@jsquared1013]

​@@nightking8490they did. They are now one of the larger economies of the world, and still growing, and the most populous democracy.

[@spellbrand477]

Israel plays victim card to this day and pretty successfully.

[@vgjunkie8386]

Africa isn't a country though. You seem to imply that Africa is a damn country, yet there are many countries within Africa that "moved on" and are thriving economically, even much better than India

[@jgwizo]

Colonialism ended and is now replaced by neocolonialism where foreign corporations who own assets outside their borders. Botswana is not rich and like Singapore has their economies controlled and owned by foreigners who do not want Africa to own their resources that are people's assets.

[@Anti-CornLawLeague]

Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya are rising stars.

[@matejamartin2199]

They are not

[@Anti-CornLawLeague]

@@matejamartin2199 When compared to Zimbabwe, the DR Congo, or Burundi, they are.

[@matejamartin2199]

@@Anti-CornLawLeague yes, you compared ender worlds

[@ThickGlassesInc-tr9cb]

Africa is china now shouldn't have sold them slaves 😢

[@BeardedDragonMan1997]

Only because they are getting BILLIONS from china in investments . They could never do it on their own . They never have , never will.

[@gapper3]

The only wealth any nation really has can be measured by the level of trust ordinary people show in their ordinary interactions with others.

[@derikuk2967]

It is amazing to see how societies flourish when its members have safe, respected *private property rights,* and the freedom to acquire and dispose of property without exploitative statist regulations.

[@SimonASNG]

I am from Zimbabwe and the best theory I have heard also explains why these places stay with marxist dictatorships. As you said in the video, Singapore has no natural resources. Africa actually has a lot of natural resources. This is why it was attractive to the colonists, they could go in and extract resources. Those resources are still being extracted today. However, when the value of the land is the resources and they can be extracted by just a small percentage of the population, the majority of the population stays very poor. For instance, if your nation has a lot of diamonds, whoever controls the diamond production can employ a small percentage of the population and keep the vast majority of the profit for themselves. They use some of that money to control the country and keep things stable for their diamond production and don't care about anything else. Marxism is just the easiest way to control the rest of the country and it only uses a small portion of the diamond profits. However, if a country doesn't have that sort of concentrated resource, the majority of the population needs to be involved in the economy and there is no concentration of wealth that is strong enough to enable a tyrant or pay for the marxism. For instance, if your economy is based on trade or farming or manufacturing or tech, you need all/most the people involved to ramp up production for max profit.

[@mrnobody6603]

Totogara mu Zimbabwe wangu, China is now exploiting us our lithium can we blame it ? No its our government that is corrupt that get money for themselves and not for the country, they allow it to happen

[@RaptorOfTheWest]

It has nothing to do with Marxism, like you even know what that word means. Singapore is a geographically strategic point, and it's within extremely close proximity to other financial centers and serves as a major trade route. No one is passing through Kigali the same way they're passing through Singapore. Countries need investors, and if African countries started using more productive means of obtaining resources like diamonds, that would ruin the global economy. Keeping Africa poor and underdeveloped keeping prices down while maintaining profits for shareholders.

[@lukek1949]

@@RaptorOfTheWest I partially agree. Africa is also very tribal with large swaths of the population having lower than average IQ (at least compared to a European or Asian country). Corruption is beyond pale. Lee Kuan Yew, the “founding father” of modern Singapore understood that nothing constructive could be done if corruption runs wild. According to transparency international, Singapore is considered on of the least corrupt places in the world. Best in Asia, and on par with some of Nordic European countries. The video talks about Botswana. Not surprisingly, Transparency International ranks Botswana as the least corrupt African country. I recommend watching the video “Empire of Dust” on KZbin. It focuses around a Chinese businessman trying to get things done in the Congo. China has been interested in Africa’s resources just like colonial powers in the past. There’s an interesting scene where the Chinese man accuses the Congo of wasting their resources and infrastructure. He accused them of learning nothing from the advanced technology the Europeans left them. The video illustrates perfectly the tribal and corrupt mess that is much of sub-Saharan Africa. I don’t think there’s an easy fix, but looking at Botswana may be the way forward.

[@RaptorOfTheWest]

@@lukek1949 The whole "Africans have the low IQ" argument has been proven to be faulty ages ago. It was shown that the countries weren't even tested, and assumptions were just made, so congrats on your pseudo intellectualism. Considering that Singapore is a small island in the middle of a trade route that's centuries old, and didn't experience that same amount of repression that African countries faced, it's not remotely comparable. The Europeans also didn't leave the African continent with "advanced technologies", France, for example dismantle a lot of the infrastructure that was placed in their former colonies because they wanted to independently control their own resources. It's spectacular that you call other people low IQ while presenting a brain dead argument.

[@malcolm-danielfreeman5940]

ffs what a load of bullshit - its a strawman argument and not even a proper one - not sure whether your ignorance is stupidity or youre malevolent capitalist shill . You should read more and educate yourself - it will raise your intelligence. Not sure i can articulate how wrong and stupid that straw man argument is. They were no marxist dictatorships in africa. The continent was full of dictatorships that had little to do with socialism. yet you just mention the ones you claim are marxist. Socialism is about workers emancipation - unless thats happening its not socialism.

[@ford289cid7]

The video misses the point entirely. Colonialism IS the reason Africa still lags because when the Europeans withdrew from the continent, they left behind "nations" that were composed of many different tribes which hated each other and didn't belong in the same "nation" to begin with. All the resouces that would normally grow the economy get diverted to these brutal wars.

[@RonSafreed]

Some African countries at independence did not have any college educated folk in their country & even today illiteracy & semi-literacy are still big problems in many areas!!

[@ford289cid7]

@@RonSafreed No question. And as long these inter-tribal wars _within_ national borders continue-and Africa is rife with them-educational and industrial advancement will have little chance to even get seriously started. Sticking two or three different tribes that historically are hostile to each other into one "nation", then withdrawing from the country, is recipe for disaster.

[@RonSafreed]

@@ford289cid7, also not much talked about is the widespread practice of the occult & voo-doo in black Africa, with its human blood-drinking, human cannabalism & human sacrifice & such folk are no good folk in any form or way period!! I have read stories out of black Africa & these things are wicked/dark/evil & hindering black Africa in a major way!!

[@Steven9567]

i still dont see how that is a problem, diversity is a strength and a blessing... i thought that everyone who was educated knew that. So this diversity would only strengthen the country... right?.

[@ford289cid7]

@@Steven9567 Diversity is a strength and a blessing _when you have an industrial base established_ . With the Industrial Revolution came an explosion in wealth and need for labor and consumers. Hence, the US grew strong with diversity. African culture had not hit the Industrial Revolution yet. Life for most people consisted of agriculture or even hunting and gathering. It's a hardscrabble existence where the people just meet survival level with no call for more labor and no need for more consumers. Hence, brutal wars erupt as the people fight over the few scraps they have left. Up until the Industrial Revolution, mankind in general was in mere survival mode, except for a very small upper class.

[@CristiNeagu]

The problem is that from a civilisation development point of view, Africa is at least 1000 years behind the West. There are some very difficult lessons that Europe had to learn in order for us to have the kind of society we have (or, at least, had up until 10 or so years ago, when the third world started imposing itself on our society). And if the West wasn't so concerned with erasing their own culture, we could could help Africa learn those same lessons without the millennia of violence Europe had to go through. We could help them set up agriculture and irrigation and water wells and schools and electricity. But instead we send all our money in the pockets of their warlords, while at home we're busy forgetting the lessons we learnt.

[@Memoiana]

Really 1000 year behind? Why not 2000 years? And which Africa are you talking about? Is Morocco 1000 years behind and South Africa 2000 years? Or are you talking about Ethiopia and Senegal?

[@juliagoodfellow7539]

OOPS.

[@jongilbertson2106]

Africa would not even know they sit on rare gems were it not for colonialism.

[@EstaJeanette-nk7fj]

The kingdom of mali, empire of Ghana, kingdom of Kongo, Nubia and Egypt would beg to differ.

[@pieterlindeque7798]

​@@EstaJeanette-nk7fjyou know what all those have in common? Arabs.

[@kaiblade760]

They would have known eventually, might have taken more time, though.

[@nobaso620]

It's because the west gave value to the gems

[@khanyi_zulu]

​@@nobaso620 Africans were trading minerals way before Europeans got here. Y'all are dumb af, lmao!!! 😭😭😭😭

[@nunyabiznes33]

I understood it was geography related coz historically, north Africa was home to many successful city-states. Carthage had a trading empire and was a threat to the then developing Rome multiple times. Then there's Egypt which while not a Mediterranean power (lacked a proper port till Alexandria was built) was a regional power and notable for surviving the Bronze Age Collapse. Save for these 2 and maybe Ethiopia (which used to connect to the maritime Silk Road), I don't remember the other Civs in Africa getting influential enough. These 3 had the benefit of being accessible to other Civs outside of Africa.

[@GCarty80]

Another reason why both Africa and the Middle East are backward compared to Europe, North America or East Asia is because people there are raised to show extreme loyalty to their own extended family groups. Theodore Dalrymple wrote of his time as a junior doctor in Rhodesia: "Black doctors were paid the same as white doctors, unlike in neighboring South Africa; but while I lived like a king on my salary, the black doctors on the same salary lived in penury and near-squalor. Why was that?" "The answer was really rather obvious, though it took me a long time to realize it. While I had only myself to consider, the black doctors, being at the very peak of the African pyramid as far as employment was concerned, had to share their salary with their extended family and others: It was a profound social obligation for them to do so and was, in fact, morally attractive." "This, of course, did not prevent them from wishing as individuals to live at the European standard; but this was impossible so long as the colonial regime lasted. Once this elite had its hand on power, however, it had both the means and opportunity to outdo that standard to assuage its sense of humiliation, but the social obligations to look after the extended family and others remained. There was no legitimate way to satisfy these voracious demands other than by gaining and keeping control of political power over the country, which is why the struggle for such control was often so ruthless and bloody."

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

First of all, abject poverty is the default state of humanity. Asking, "Why Poor?" is the wrong question. Look at the map of Africa now and during the height of colonialism. The names are all that has changed. Politically and economically the colonies went from having a European governor who enforced strict order and stole all the wealth to a native governor (president, king, emperor) who steals all the wealth and doesn't really give a damn about order.

[@dv8ug]

Europeans were build roads, cities, hospitals, schools, wells and shitload of other things. It isn't "stealing all the wealth". Blacks did not have any wealth , they were wandering on a top of it but it is not theirs.

[@youhavebewarned]

1. The only difference between Africa and Singapore is that Singapore has virtually no natural resources, hmmm ... 2. What about how France continues to hold the money of its "former" colonies and charge them interest on the money when they request it. 3. Also remember Singapore has English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil as official languages - Africa has over 3000. Alot of the problems Africa faces is due to corruption, but also look at how many of the corrupt regimes are funded by foreign interest.

[@lerinhar]

Very true and this needs to be highlighted!

[@devamjani8041]

Colonialism is definitely a substantial factor because Africa received independence much later than most countries. But the other major reason is islam. It has already created 50+ failed countries/theocracies with extremely rare exceptions of oil rich countries like Saudi, quatar, uae because they did adopt some human rights and secularism. Saudi was able to build an orbiter that orbits mars ( launched from a Japanese rocket ) exclusively because of many women scientists and engineers there. But other than them, all islamic nations have become failed states with theocratic dictatorship. Another big reason is corruption in Africa and instability.

[@sanniepstein4835]

Islam is also constantly attacking and harassing non-muslim peoples, handicapping their growth and stability.

[@puraLusa]

😂- baath is secular - what theocracies?!?!?

[@keithalderson100]

South Africa became a success when The White tribe, established because the Black tribes wanted to fight them, fought battles and won in the north east with Cecil Rhodes as one of the leaders. The White tribe then solved the main issues of tribalism by separating all the main tribes into Homelands- locking everything down so that even White Tribe members needed passes to enter The Homelands. At the time of Cecil Rhodes, again when Britain gave South Africa it's independence, there were plans to introduce one-person-one-vote along with democracy, but it was not until 1994 that the leaders believed this MIGHT be achievable and in any case the political total war waged made continuing tribalism impossible. As yet the jury is out as to whether South Africans in general will accept the preconditions necessary for democracy to work: - Leaders MUST agree to be under the law; - Citizens MUST generally abide by the law; - The Governing Body, The Law Makers, The Law Enforcers MUST each be TOTALLY independent and free from threats and missuse of the law against them. An interesting point you might have noticed is that South Africa struggles to start it's democratic journey, The UK and The USA along with many European countries are in danger of losing their democracies/republics for ignoring these very points I make above! Best wishes, Keith.

[@life-sf1oz]

Islam really? Saudia arabia , gulf countries Indonesia & Malaysia are Muslim countries yet they are developed?? What's holding Africa back is tribalism and lack of education also corruption

[@Will_CH1]

Rhodesia was not poor until it became Zimbabwe. South Africa was not poor until 15 years ago. What do these 2 countries have in common?

[@jfkst1]

It's cultural clearly...

[@polemeros]

@@jfkst1 AKA racial.

[@Will_CH1]

@@jfkst1 I would suggest it is African leadership. They fail to put money into infrastructure and the economy collapses.

[@quinquiry]

you are spot on... but politically incorrect lol

[@delavalmilker]

It's what happens when countries and their leaders blame all their troubles on "bad things in the past". Like adults blaming their lack of accomplishment because of "bad parents" or "bad environment in my childhood". It's a trap that never solves any problems.

[@reedr7142]

Thank you for telling more than one side of the story. I've been doing this for almost two decades.

[@Oyzatt]

This video appears first in KZbin searching list. There’s a good reason for why is like that 😂😂

[@-o-dq7nd]

Very insightful, also Thomas Sowell needs to be standard reading in the western world!

[@nessimrihani5962]

Both of them are saying non sense. I traveled through africa, eastern europe and asia. Hopefully i will visit south america soon. And Yes. The global south is not poor or underdevelopped. Its overexploited still to this day. If you think the colonizers left you are wrong!!!

[@katarinajensen6757]

You lie sir, even in Africa they will tell you that you can trust a white man close to always, a blackman you have to be careful with and the Asians you run from. This is spread through many many African nations. I think you simply have a bias to not like white people.

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

Look at the former Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Before independence Rhodesia was the largest food exporter in Africa. After independence, Mugabe expelled all the white farmers and nationalized their farms ... which were then neglected, vandalized, looted and left to turn to brush. All the white farmers fled to South Africa and now Zimbabwe imports 95% of its food ... from the very farmers they expelled. I think there is something lacking in the character of Sub-Saharan blacks which hinders their abilities. Now the unofficial campaign slogan of the South African ANC is "kill the whites." So drive all farmers from Africa and STARVE???? Black political policy seems to be a bit backward. By the way, name ONE invention by a black person in Sub-Saharan Africa which is used around the world daily as part of our modern repertoire of comfort and delicacies. Get back to me when you find it.

[@curtisthomas2670]

Sowell is a grifter

[@EB-jf5oi]

Did he talk about intelligence and how it relates to skill acquisition and planning?

[@max-pax]

Poland was a colonized country between 1697 and 1990, with exception 1918-1939 Plundered by Sweden, Prussia, Russia, Austria and Ottomans, needed three years after communism (i. e. Soviet colonialism) fall to begin to develop economically again and become one of the best developed post communist state. Czechia and Slovakia and Hungary did the same. Mindset is an issue.

[@quinquiry]

i expected a less disappointing conclusion, the issue is NOT minset... its all about low average IQ

[@bbcisrubbish]

One word gives the answer "CORRUPTION". I have heard it said that some of the previously colonised countries wish the British were still there. A few years ago a charity representative was at a BBC interview with an American, the charity man said about getting funds for Africa. The American said "what happened to the ten billion dollars you received last year?" There was no reply!!!

[@philwilliams953]

So, this takes the blame for the current problems away from colonialism. Fine, but I hope you don't want to make the mistake of saying that it was in Africa's best interests to be colonised. Part of the corruption stems from the difficulty to instantly adapt from authoritarian imperial rule to democraciy within arbitrarily defined borders. Many states failed. Singapore was (and to some extent is) fairly autocratic. Its rule of law is very strong, thus it didn't slip into corruption, like some African states. But corruption goes hand in hand with neo colonialism. Corrupt leaders often take on foreign assistance. The cold war saw many areas subject to soviet and US involvement. Coups often have foreign mercenaries and financiers ready to cash in. Russia and others are still heavily involved today. Don't expect the likes of Putin to back the least corupt group. Economic imperialism is now the order of the day. China is a major player in the African continent. Is it good for Africa? Time will tell.

[@benceze]

You didn't quite hit the nail on the head. Most African countries are struggling because they didn't evolve inclusive governance in their culture. For example, take Nigeria, the Western educated elites who called themselves nationalists and criticized the british did exactly what the british did after they left when Nigeria gained independence. They kept the same administrative divisions, the same colonial style occupation force police, the same ownership of all natural resources of the country by the central government. The western educated elites basically replaced the colonizers. The people had no say or sense of belonging in their country and since some regions were previously empires, that culture of palace economics persisted.

[@JK-ji3kl]

Sure but he's saying that the reason isn't solely colonialism.

[@redf7209]

did they have a choice when so few had skills or education to manage huge responsibilities and corruption decided who got jobs

[@deemamunir2606]

When you compared Singapore with Africa you said a country with no natural resources, Africa is still very much rich in natural resources till date after 100s pf year of extracting. Do you really thing these European countries will leave africa that easily They left Singapore because it was resourceful to them( long distance to travel no valuable resource there. Africa if just below Europe. Direct colonialism might have ended but to this date africa is still control by former colonial powers ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY. This is big and a dirty rabbit hole believe me there is a lot to learn and find out. Stop being dumb and see what exactly is happening.

[@zurielsss]

Sure, keep blaming Europeans for how poor Africa is instead of reflecting how lazy and uncultured the Africans are. 😊

[@SantiagoVeraLoor]

Corruption and greed is the main reason why Africa is still poor

[@IsaiahKakusa]

Am African and I can confirm that its not colonialism. Its politics and leadership

[@eattoliveveganstyle65]

How is this man an expert on how and why Africa is poor. SMH

[@SophiaTallVA]

He isnt an expert, he's just a guy talking about something that a lot of people already said. I heard from africans all the time blaming themselves for not developing, some blame clonialism and others blame neo-colonialism. I heard all of these stuff he said and there are other details he missed out but he wasnt talking about all the reasons why africa is poor, it was only one of it. A lot of things are happening at the same time.

[@Thomson07]

@@regulus7181 hes no expert, things he said are correct. its just not the whole story.

[@Thomson07]

the truth is the reason why africa is so poor is because of the leaders. They are all corrupt and have no interest other than lining their pockets by letting western powers and china exploit the people and resources.

[@richardvaughan4509]

Some years ago in Kampala I chaired a meeting of the cabinet of the Kingdom of Buganda. They identified themselves as having lack of discipline on four fronts: with time, with money, with correspondence, and with sex. This was Ugandans talking about themselves. I suggest this is representative of the entire African continent.

[@OddDudeSays]

Do Africans have pride in their countries? Example: The Japanese and Korean people have been rivals for thousands of years. Then after WW2, Japan and S Korea worked towards doing better than the other. It wasn't 'we're asians, be proud, work together to beat the west'. It was I'm going to do better than the other because I love my country.

[@dkBybee]

I am impressed you left Canada and the USA off the former colonies list. They prove your point of former colonies that are doing quite well.

[@anthonymorris5084]

The difference is that the colonizers of Canada and the US, stayed. Same with Australia and New Zealand.

[@TonyMarselle]

No it doesn’t. The colonizing didn’t stop with the British. America is still a colonial empire. The original inhabitant that lost their land still have tiny nations within our own.

[@derikuk2967]

Europe is now being colonized. Migration, demographics and cultural displacement do not lie. The future belongs to those who show up for it.

[@dkBybee]

@@TonyMarselle Are you talking about assimilation? It is much less common in Canada where there are the three nations: French, Anglo and First Nations. It continues from there, Chinese, Sikh and many other subgroups where English and French are not spoken.

[@Imhotep-sm7oi]

I'm sorry, but this story is also a little bit too short. Colonialism had tremendous effects on many structures, leading to effects hard to measure and even think about today, it's called persistence and is well known to historians, especially for the ones doing history economics. I will name some examples: - Institutions: Maybe you know the famous book "Why Nations Fail" - the authors are talking about the impact of Institutions on the economies. Dependent on the region, the institutions implemented by the colonial power were either inclusive/good (for settlers like in the US), or extractive. These extractive institutions were implemented to support a small elite governing and exploiting the other inhabitants. Schools were designed to promote only the 1% smartest children, which you can still see in African countries or India. After the colonial powers withdrew, the local elites took over / stayed in their role. They never had the incentives to change the system, since they are the ones profiting. Corruption is a consequence of bad institutions which not work. - Trust: Economic activity is also about trust. Trust can be achieved by good institutions with the rule of law working (if you can not call the police if somebody is exploiting you in a business relationship, you will only trade with your dearest friends and relatives). But trust is also about the social structures. There is huge evidence that slavery had a big structural impact on trust since 20% of slaves were tricked by other Africans into slavery - borders: The present borders were created during colonial times. They are parting ethnical groups and bringing ethnical groups together in systems / institutional frameworks that just don't work and promote hatred. These are only a few reasons why corruption, hatred, and underdevelopment are linked to colonialism. It's a holistic picture, very complex, and not easy to approximate.

[@jakkeday1]

This guy managed to get though his whole bit without mentioning neocolonialism, the IMF or the World Bank 🙄🙄🙄

[@Nubialady32]

Doesn't benefit their agenda

[@foxbat473]

Zimbabwean here, Africa is poor because we are not hardworking and don't promote innovation. Corruption is or example of laziness of Africans. My opinion on successful countries is that they made it through hard work.