Why does Africa lag behind the rest of the world in virtually every observable standard of progress?

Question

What can we reasonably infer from the following data?

1) African nations rank significantly lower in terms of economics, health care, infrastructure, education, employment, etc.

2) African nations are composed primarily of black people

What reasonable inferences can be drawn, or hypothesized based on these facts?

I have MY theories, I want to hear YOURS!

Answer 1

Lord of war summed my opinion quite nicely:
"Every faction in Africa calls themselves by these noble names - Liberation this, Patriotic that, Democratic Republic of something-or-other... I guess they can't own up to what they usually are: a federation of worse oppressors than the last bunch of oppressors."

That and lack of control of AIDS

Answer 2

Honestly, you're missing a lot of important facts. Africa suffers a lot more from tropical diseases than any other part of the world. This can do horrible things to economic and educational development. Nearly everything else follows from economic and educational development. Compare the standard of living in India to the standard of living of people of Indian ancestry in America or Britain. India is almost as bad off as Africa, but 2nd generation Indians in America rank with East Asians and Jewish Americans in their educational and economic success.

Also, look at the success of immigrant blacks in America (i.e. people whose families have come recently from Africa or the Caribbean). They're very successful. In Queens, one of the few places in America with a really high concentration of second generation or later descendants of black immigrants, the average black income is higher than the average white income.

Answer 3

Africa is too divided. There is so much poverty. There is so much hate between different tribes.Hence frequent coups and civil wars. The rulers know they can't survive long, they exploit the people make lots of money and make merry while the next coup is in the line.
People need to stop supporting these extremist violent factions and go for a proper government.

Answer 4

The nations of Africa have been exploited for several centuries. The continent possesses vast wealth, but it's all owned by western banks and corporations. These banks finance civil wars and coups to consolidate their wealth and to make sure the African people have no wealth of their own. As long as they are kept hungry and tired, they can't put up a fight.

Answer 5

They refuse to take responiblity for themselves.

They rather have others come in and do their work so they don't have to do anything.

Much like New Orleans after Katerina.

The aid workers who came back and found nothing done since they left.
They got the casinos going but didn't do much else.

In the KS after the twister leveled one town came through before the sun was up people were in homes and the streets were cleared.


Some people do other complain.

Answer 6

It is all George Bush and the Republicans fault? Lol

Answer 7

lack of a middle class you are either Rich or poor no middle ground
lack of industry

Answer 8

#1 reason - Lack of good leadership !!

Answer 9

Please read the book "Guns, Germs and Steel" for the answer to your question.

Answer 10

too many bugs.