Problems that Africans Inherited from Colonialists and Their Effects to Post-Independence Politics - Coursework Example

African Politics Problems that Africans inherited from colonialists and their effects to post-independence politics Ethnic Division One of the major problems that Africans inherited from colonialists was ethnic division and conflicts emanating from ethnic rivalry where a certain ethnic wants to proof its eloquence in matters involving all walks of life. In the colonial period, people were divided in regard to ethnic background, tribe and race by the colonialist and the overall effect can be felt up to today evidenced by current ethnic, race and tribal animosities all over Africa. The colonialists were putting more emphasis on diverse ethnic group distinctions thus strengthening rivalries and tribal outcry thus inhibiting national unity. He further argues that the people initially existed as brothers and sisters where the only competition that existed was economic advantage or political power and not on the basic fact that someone came from a certain tribe or ethnic background. The end result of tribal differences is that some people feels marginalized and left out thus building hatred, revenge, and tension with those who seem to enjoy economic and social advantages (Agbude 2). Security and Sovereignty Sovereignty is used by the governing authority to secure security. As a result, the post colonial government inherited states that were ruled and controlled by colonials. The colonial forces were used to control their colonies. The post independence governments were rest assured that a chance for disintegration would result after the end of greedy colonial rule. Conversely, after independence, this assurance was a mirage since the inheritance of colonial government system of governing enhanced the legacy of insecurity. In addition, sovereignty was deterred in that the colonialists continued controlling their previous colonies indirectly through dictating of what, how, when and who to undertake a specific national task. At the long run, the sovereignty is still questionable since Africans cannot make sound decisions without drawing assistance from the colonialists (Agbude 3). Political Crises Prior to colonialism by the foreigners, it was noted that the same measure they used to mistreat Africans, was the same measure African leaders used to decolonize their own country, in other words, it was another form of second colonization though at this time, it was from the natives. Political independence became a mirage as a result thus making it difficult to control the resources. African scholars assert that the only means to attain economic independence and reduce decolonization was through political independence. Many political leaders due to their self centered nature gave birth to countries of political crisis since there were two warring groups: those standing in the values of Africans and those who maintain the values of the foreigners. This is evidence by various countries in Africa experiencing periods of political meltdown (Agbude 4). For instance, many newspapers in Europe and America concentrate mostly on the civil wars in Angola, tribal wars in Kenya, Egypt, Libya, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Undemocratic country Colonialist failed to reach the democracy realms since they did not respect human rights. As a result, it became very difficult to create institutions based on the values of democracy. In addition, the opposition that African leader faced due to the failure to satisfy the peoples’ needs would make it easy for them to go back to the state of undemocratic invested by the colonialist. This is evident even today since it can be seen that post colonial governments invested in the same undemocratic measure in order to control and also deal with opposing groups (Agbude 6). Greedy leadership and false independence Continued decolonization resulted into greedy leadership in public posts coupled with mismanagement of public properties and corruption thus contributing to failure and demise of African continent. As a result colonial legacies still exist up to today through direct accomplice of African leaders. This evidenced by case study drawn all over Africa that shows counter productivity in Africa, tyrannical leadership and autocracy which brings people’s downfall and thus retarding the growth of all the sectors of the economy. In addition, greedy leaders always want to remain in power no matter the cost. This has been evident in Africa specifically in Zimbabwe where the current president Mugabe has been in power since independence. The overall effect is inflation, retarded growth in infrastructure and social amenities and thus low living standards of people (Agbude 7). This kind of independence was a fallacy since the people knew that they were liberated from foreign colonialist yet the independence was not yet nigh. In addition, de-colonization means slow economic growth and development since unstable government system is detrimental to the making of laws and policies that positively affect the economic sector. African Economic performance since Independence In many African countries, early 1960s was a period of political sovereignty. In addition it was also an era that has been studied far and wide b both Africans and foreign scholars in regard to the economic performance. Most liberal scholars in African history argues that in any given economy, economic performance is seen as a means of liberating Africans from the colonial chains. Economic performance in Africa has grown tremendously since 1960 when most of the countries were gaining independence in Africa. For instance, Marxist argues that by early 1970s, annual rate of growth in Gross domestic product (GDP) on average grew by 4.5 percent. Conversely, other scholar argues that the real income of Africans fell in relation to other regions of the world by 35%. For instance, development in human gaps grew rather than narrowing resulting to a period of insufficient cumulative progress. Further analysis indicates that per capita income barely increased from 1960 resulting to poverty. As Africa welcomed the new millennium, there was nothing to smile about since poverty line per day was below $1.5 from a 35% margin in 1970. In a our quest to look at the problems that many African countries inherited from their colonies, it is very vital to look at the interconnection between the politics and economics which to a great extent, shaped the way of life and relationship between the countrymen and women (Agbude 7). Early 1960s were regarded as years of both political and economic liberation in Africa, having many nations maturing into nationhood. After colonization by the foreigners, many African countries found themselves in a blink of political decolonization by the same Africans. This was a major problem which hindered the development. As a result, millions of people live in abject poverty where each day is like a nightmare and life unpredictable. The GDP has considerably declined from 1974 by over 11%. For instance, 1970s analysis shows that that 10 percent of the poor people in the world were found in Africa whereas this has dramatically increased where by 2000; about 50 percent of poor people were found in Africa. This further translates a total of 360 million poor people in the year 2000 in comparison to 140 million poor people in the early 1970s (Agbude 9). In determining economic progress, it is also important to look at the determinants of economic development such as education, human capital, and health. In Africa specifically, this determinants are poorly implemented. At one instance in the early 1960s, the enrollment rate in primary school was approximately 42 percent compared to the Asian countries. Today, the enrollment rate is quite significant thus the economic growth rate prospects are far higher now in comparison to the 1960s. Life expectancy has increased in Africa due to maternal health care by 2.07% thus encouraging economic progress. Capital inflow and outflows in African economy has come to a standstill as argued by Marxist. Thus, Colin Legum adds that it is very clear that economic growth rate has declined considerably. It is therefore important to obtain economic liberty as far as decolonization of African state is concerned by having changes in the leadership and economy through fair policies and committed leadership (Agbude 9). Africanisms that have survived in the African Diaspora in the Americas Africanism is an entity that tries to trace the African culture characteristic through African Diaspora institutions and societal practices. Cultural practice is one of the Africanism that has endured in African Diaspora in America. Since the days immemorial, America has been described as a country of immigrants having people all around the globe. More specifically, Central and West African emigrants found refugee in US and formed the largest chunk of emigrants to arrive. During the 17th century, many Americans embraced the names of specific West African ethnic groups like Igbo, Mandinka, Fang, Yoruba, Wolof just to name but a few (Agbude 10). The total number of people with African descent in the US by 1830 from the census surveys done amounted to 23 million. As a result of this great numbers, their cultural practices shaped the historical and cultural composition of the US. African for instance contributed toward technological and scientific input from Africa since they interacted with the Europeans thus enhancing creative arts and language. Further analysis indicates that America is an imprint of Africa names of places geographically. Furthermore, the culture has influenced the American in that, the National park service produced a document to cite African examples of influenced places, scholarship, and give resources to individuals and groups that are interested in that topic. In addition, the analysis provided African heritage in the US and the interpretation of Africans in historic sites. The sole reason for this document is to influence a better comprehension of cultural aspects and Africanism. In addition, it was expected that the document would further encourage strongly relationship between preservation of academic research and historic activity in the study and analysis of Africanism (Agbude 10). African Americans have always desired to maintain their culture by reclamation of African speaking features. Recently, adoption of African names has been part of this reclamation thus reclaiming the real root and identity that their fore fathers had before relocating in America as slaves. As a result, they have dismantled the notion and redefined themselves better as a paradigm shift of shunning of the mental chains and emotional imbalances that have haunted them for centuries (Agbude 11). African influenced greatly the fullness and richness of American culture though their contributions have not been recognized. Cultural contribution includes dairy industry development in America, artificial insemination zero grazing, cure of snake bites and coming up with viable vaccines in treatment of small pox. In addition, African folklore and stories traces their origin in Africa. For instance, Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit and Chicken tales have African roots. These tales were absorbed and incorporated in the American childhood culture thus laying a better foundation and a more tranquil and infinite future for nursery culture in America. Meanwhile, the Africans were greatly traumatized during the slave trade but this did not deter them from positively contributing in areas of Agriculture, folk medicine, cuisine, language, animal husbandry and aesthetics. In conclusion, culture is an important aspect that can influence the way of life in any given society. From this study, it is clear that culture greatly influenced the way of life of Americans in many areas ranging from naming systems to Agriculture (Agbude 12). Works Cited Agbude, Ga. "The Humanistic Imperative in African Politics." African Research Review 5.2 (2011): 2-13. Print. Read More