Why Europe conquered the world
Friday, September 11, 2015
In the discussions about the underdevelopment of Africa, liberal intellectuals are highlighting colonialism. So are socialists but adding capitalism. In my view, this is mostly quite correct but only for a limited period from 1850 up to this date and for the Anglo-American and European (AAE) imperialism and dominance. As I see it, we have to widen the historical perspective and cover the last half millennium, more or less. And thus, we are into the heading of this essay.
Today political scribes are frequently, in matters of importance to Africa, using conceptions like Capitalism, Communism, Neo-liberalism, Marxism, Imperialism and Colonialism when discussing the state of the world and Africa. As if magical words are needed to save us and guarantee necessary changes.
It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...