Africa Socialism
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Question 1
According to former African Union Ambassador to the US Arikana Chihombori-Quao, French neocolonialism is a form of continued colonization of former French colonies by France. Most aspects of her argument are agreeable and are supported by facts. The colonization continuation pact that France made with her former colonies was a disguise to continue dependency of the African countries to France. The only aspect I don’t agree with Chihombori-Quao’s critique is her argument that African countries that experience French neocolonialism should back out immediately. French neocolonialism is a systematic problem that affects many important parts of the economy. It would be unwise to wake up in the morning and decide that countries were walking away from the pact made between them and France. Leaving may cause more harm than good to the economy. To fully break away from French neocolonialism, there is a need for systematic negotiations that could lead to a better-compromised deal.
Question 2
Ayittey is indeed right to blame socialism as an obstacle to the development of Africa. After independence, Africans expected development and freedom, but instead, the white colonialists were replaced by our own black neo-colonialists. In traditional Africa, there were free markets, free trade, and also free enterprises. Ayittey argues that African leaders acknowledged socialism as the only way to save Africa, but in real sense, this was an alien ideology. Socialism rendered all the country’s operations and economy under state control. He further illustrates the impacts of socialism in Africa. Production in companies decreased with more intervention and state controls. The agricultural economy in many African countries was destroyed. The prices of agricultural produce were controlled by the state, and unauthorized trading regarded as a crime. The peasant farmers rebelled against the oppressions and exploitations, leading to low production of food in Africa. The artificial shortages created by state controls provided means of illicit enrichment. Corruption found its place in Africa, where the African leaders took advantage of the situation and plundered public resources. According to Ayittey (2019), the creative and innovative people in America who developed programs to provide solutions to problems are the rich. In Africa, the rich class is made up of Africa leaders who cannot account for their wealth. The above arguments are compelling because they explain ways in which socialism in Africa hinders development.
Question 3
Socialism in Africa affected the economy and agricultural production. The alien ideology was the hope of Africa but later turned out to be an obstacle to development. In Algeria, Ben Bella acknowledged socialism, like other African leaders, but had a soft heart for the peasant farmers who contribute heavily to the economy. He, therefore, advocated for an agrarian reform that could benefit the peasantry. The agricultural estates, formerly owned by the French, were reorganized and donated to the peasant farmers who took control. Promoting agricultural reforms was a move meant to relieve the peasants and offer them freedom of movements in the country. Ben Bella also denounced neocolonialism and advocated for neutralism (Martin, 2012). He further founded the African Unity Organization, meant to unite Africa countries and offer support. Although he believed that the state should take control of the economy as well as the industrial and agricultural sectors, he had a better plan for his people. His support and commitment to the African countries was a remarkable leadership quality. His close companions joined the opposition against him after he cut the close relationship between them. His ruling became more authoritarian and personal as time elapsed. Despite his downfall, his way of ruling is still practiced today in Algeria.
References
Martin, G. (2012). The Socialist-Populist Ideology I. In African Political Thought (pp. 71-84). Palgrave Macmillan, New York.