SoloHQ: Forum

Forum

Post 0

Sunday, October 23 - 9:06am

Link

Edit

According to Fareed Zakaria, author of The Future of Freedom, Africa faces both geographical and cultural challenges to developing an effective capitalistic economy. Geographically, it does not possess the easily travelled rivers that allowed other continents long ago to engage in long-distance commerce with primitive boating technology. Culturally, it has deeply entrenched tribalism that fosters warfare before commerce. Zakaria notes that capitalism has consistently shown itself a necessary precursor to fostering effective democracies with limited constitutional governments.

Post 1

Sunday, October 23 - 10:21pm

Link

Edit

Luke, I've read that Zakaria book (and I liked it overall), but doesn't it seem like there's a little excuse-making going on there? Maybe 150 years ago he could make that claim, but with the advent of air travel and trucking, isn't the importance of a massive navigable river system greatly diminished?

By the way, the Bernstein article is excellent.

Post 2

Monday, October 24 - 6:10am

Link

Edit

Pete, that thought crossed my mind also. I think his point was that the other continents had many centuries to establish commerce and its many resultant benefits, while Africa has had far less time to take advantage of the new travel technology. The main point of Zakaria and Bernstein remains -- Africa needs capitalism, not aid.

Post 3

Tuesday, October 25 - 9:14am

Link

Edit

Africans need to abandon mysticism, superstition and collectivism. A free market would help, but the requisite mental attitude might be missing.