Why is Africa the welfare child of the world?

Question

I dont understand why the continent is still so backward. A friend of mine says its because of the west and the old colonial days, but most of the countries have been independent for decades. Why has Australia and New Zealand prospered (former colonies) but Africa still needs handouts.

Blackman - You seem terribly fired up about this topic. Im going to ignore your answer because it is obvious that you are incapable of giving an objective answer, which is what I was looking for.

PS. I grew up in Africa, I think that earns me the right to ask valid questions about it.

Thanks everyone else for trying to remain objective.

Answer 1

Culturally much of Africa went into shock and is still recovering from Western colonisation. Africa did have advanced civilisation, but was still very different from what was prevalent in the West.
There are African countries that could take their place in the first world, however much like Basra in Iraq, sooner or later it's neighbours problems become theirs.
Many but not all countries were badly used by it's colonists who left nothing in the way of infrastructure or human rights when they left. Those countries devolved into civil war, and the West still profits by dividing them and robbing their riches. Arms sales to different warlords who protect mines owned by the West means the country can never recover. Their problems spill over their borders and infect neighbours.
Many African Empires can be equated with Thailand's (who have never been conquered), so that may give some idea of what was destroyed. Some African countries were built up similar to the way India was, but neighbours who are in a constant state of civil war means this counts for almost nothing.
The analogy with Iraq is apt, now we have destroyed it, both purposefully and accidentally, the area still needs sustained peace and help to move forward.
Australia and New Zealand are in effect still colonised, New Zealand has been better at integrating it's native population but huge problems are still evident. Like South Africa, the best of intentions are still not enough to speed the recovery of the indigenous people (South Africa is not as clear cut as that but you get the idea).

Answer 2

I guess it's just that...Africa had been colonized by the European superpowers for more than two centuries and when it gained its independence it wasn't ready for it, and civil war and genocide erupted almost immediately in many parts of the continent. Africa still hasn't recovered and only a few countries (Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, etc.) are stable. But Africa's biggest troubles are AIDS, corruption, and civil war, and only Africans can fix that. You can't blame Europe anymore...The problem lies within.

By the way, South Africa is a very beautiful country, and I'm dying to see Tunisia and Morocco.

Answer 3

Some governments don't redistribute wealth, control corruption, sustain legal constitutions, and control their military to the same extent that Europe does. Taxes and educational reforms are scarcely utilised. Tourism is good, but where are the business taxes on that activity, and what happened to the infrastructure to attract foreign investment. The climate is not exactly helpful in some parts. But I like Morocco. Do Australians work in the UK with some tax advantages ? I overheard New Zealanders/Kiwis friends say they can buy several houses with what they earn in Europe. Actually the two above places are similar to Africa in that they lack human capital. African countries educate their graduates to degree/postgrad level and then lose them to western hospitals, schools, universities and companies. Australian is trying to attract skilled immigrants and NZ is quite dependant on some countries for the majority of her exports, I agree its because they each started out differently.

Answer 4

The Gross Domestic Product GDP of many Affircan nations doesnt yeild enough value to the richest part of the world (America and Europe) to justify enough trade to bolster thier economy so they get assitance out of pity from the wealthy nations.

Australia and New Zeland were part of something called "the commonwealth" as was Canada. The name itself (Commonwealth) indicates a common objective among these nations: Wealth.

Colonialsm or more specifically Mercantileism was the founding business model that re-inforced this many many years ago.

We should never take for granted always having enough to eat living in western civilzation. People who have all the basic human needs are unfortuantly the minority when it comes to looking at the global perspective.

Answer 5

it's because of the dictational leaders that keep everyone down and do not allow them to educate themselves in case they all decide to revolt one day. The fact that this happens doesn't help the people in growing crops because it isn't funded in any way. No crops = starvation.... I think that all the stupid leaders in africa should be assasinated... then the people can actually benefit from the handouts that won't be lost in the corrupt governments.

Answer 6

When the West went to Africa and colonised it we were unsympathetic to the African people. We carved the country up regardless of existing tribes (hence the political instability in many African nations) and we tried to introduce or impose our Western way of life on these people without listening to them! The thing is our way of life is fine for our countrys and their conditions but is just not sustainable in Africa. The African tribes had been living there and surviving quite well before we intervened! Now we think we should give African children a Western style education but they would be better off learning how to live the tribal ways as this was sustainable. To put it bluntly it's all our fault!

Answer 7

"I dont understand why the continent is still so backward"

You really think Africa is backward?. You are not different from the MILLIONS of people brainwashed by the media. Why don't you GO TO AFRICA yourself and experience it. Every place on Earth has it is bad side and good side, Africa is just one of these places. Africa is a large continent mostly dominated by corrupt "presidents" who never held elections, but kept there by European and American counterparts in return for business such as diamond mining, uranium, oil and other natural resources. If you think Africa's all natural resources were stolen by European colonists, think again. Because Europeans are doing the same thing they have been doing, but a little more smarter and not violent or through invasions.

If Africa was a backward place, NOBODY would dreamed of vacationing in there, and see exotic wild life and tons of rich and interesting cultures. Just because you see starving and suffering people DOES NOT MEAN, Africa is all dead and starving. I can go to the USA or Japan and any other "wealthy" country and yet find unfortunate people who has less or nothing and video tape and broadcast it to you.


Find the FACTS, don't come here and tell us what "your friend" said.

Answer 8

I believe it's because during colonization many western countries took over the riches of Africa like mines which are owned by western countries and the wars among leaders are in greed of power and kill people to show the other leader that he can murder as many people as he and dictatorship.

Answer 9

if you grew in africa then u know whats the problem,..
poorr governance
corruption
lack of education
outdated cultures
ofcourse brainwashing
most leaders imitate thier former colonial leaders...and as u know they were corrupt.
and ofcourse the west undermines africa too much.. eg do u know how much % of world trade union is given to africa???
dont even mention it....and if africa overproduces they remain with their products coz where will they take them when they are given a little % to trade...
in other way the west enjoys and likes it this way for africa to remain backwrads..infact some western leaders do corruption in collaboration with those african leaders....and selling them weapons to kill each other.well its all to blame the african leaders...but the west contribute to those problems too.

Answer 10

If Africa is the welfare child of the world .that's only because the west raped her .And made her pregnant .And then molested her kids for years to come .As regards to Australia and New Zealand.They won't so much raped more like invaded.And the original people are still not happy about it .The new owners were bothers. sisters ,aunts ,uncle,mothers and fathers of the west.So lets just say when your family are well off .You do tend to get a few hand out and favours.What do you think