Africa is in the midst of an unprecedented transformation. The continent is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, and it’s become a draw for foreign investors from across the globe. After the “Obamamania” of 2008 died down, though, the realization that Obama wasn’t going to overturn, or even prioritize, U.S. Africa policy kicked in. Still, the U.S. has promised to promote “strong institutions, not strong men,” and to favor good governance and healthy economies over profit. How can U.S. policy live up to its promise and values while securing its interests in the region?
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Principle acknowledgment is that Africa cannot be understood by subdividing into regions by geography, colonial past, religion, etc. Video hit on the key activity (non-violent) of most countries. Bland. Class said more advanced countries took advantage in seeking resources and encouraged corruption to most easily get their desires. That we had no right to impose our systems on them, witness Chinese success by not doing that. Everybody was treating Africa as an unusual case. I interrupted "to point out that we have been discussing political, commercial, and religious aspects of Africa as if a special situation, but they are simply another example of the nature of all mankind. Every people think their system and beliefs are the best. Exploitation can be rephrased as self-interest or free enterprise. Democracy is giving votes to the great unwashed. Capitalism creates the super rich. Our Greek democracy developers thought the best government was Philosopher-Kings. Can't argue with that. But once granted leadership, human nature is corrupted absolutely ; witness our current philosopher-king has become dictatorial as the fastest way to get his way in Washington. All natural to humanity.
We have an opportunity to view Africa as a test bed in light of solutions to the nature of mankind. We all agree on education, when it is not perverted into meaning the greatest H.S. sports team. Woman's rights have been discussed over and over in this class as leading to moderation and tolerance and avoidance of WAR, an exceeding worthy goal. Religion is a problem, second only, possibly to over-population. In 25 years when the robots take over running the world, mankind can be satisfied in all material needs, but we may run out of resources to satisfy everything. We should have our policies lined up on the planet's needs vs. mankind's needs, otherwise they may decide to balance population to resources by reducing the population. Stop laughing, damn it." headlines
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Last updated : April 03, 2015
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