If the mods think that this is too much of a political question , I'd be happy to have it moved.
In Martin Meredith's excellent book The State of Africa , he argues that the biggest problem with Africa after independence has been poor leadership. I would say that there is a certain amount of truth in this, although it is not the only issue. Ever since independence the majority of African countries have been saddled with a variety of dictatorial , corrupt and incompetent government who have pursued ruinous policies which have permanently crippled their nations. Those few countries such as Botswana and Senegal which have avoided this have gone on to be the most successful African countries.
So what is the problem with African leadership and was there any way to solve? Obviously any racist explanation about the unsuitability of Africans to governance can be dismissed out of hand. It would be tempting to blame colonialism but the problem manifests itself even in Ethiopia and Liberia. Is the issue simply that the lack of popular democracy in pre-independence Africa didn't create institutions which produced good leaders?
In Martin Meredith's excellent book The State of Africa , he argues that the biggest problem with Africa after independence has been poor leadership. I would say that there is a certain amount of truth in this, although it is not the only issue. Ever since independence the majority of African countries have been saddled with a variety of dictatorial , corrupt and incompetent government who have pursued ruinous policies which have permanently crippled their nations. Those few countries such as Botswana and Senegal which have avoided this have gone on to be the most successful African countries.
So what is the problem with African leadership and was there any way to solve? Obviously any racist explanation about the unsuitability of Africans to governance can be dismissed out of hand. It would be tempting to blame colonialism but the problem manifests itself even in Ethiopia and Liberia. Is the issue simply that the lack of popular democracy in pre-independence Africa didn't create institutions which produced good leaders?