How Six Decades of Socialism Has Kept Africa Poor
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- I was given the immense privilege and honor to give the keynote speech at the opening of Universidad de las Hespérides in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This university is dedicated to this mission and is built on the values of truth, and knowledge-seeking, with an emphasis on exploring ideas in a free environment.
This is something that is sorely needed in a time where we see that higher education is going under because of woke-ism… where we see people afraid to think differently and where intellectual teachings are increasingly not about facts, but about how people feel about something.
While I could go on and on about the problems with higher education today, nothing is solved by just complaining about it. “Criticize by Creating” is my mantra. And that’s what I love so much about Universidad de las Hespéridades… they are dissenting by creating a solution.
I'm an African girl from Cameroon 🇨🇲 you inspire me to explore and think about my own business initiative and how I can run it in Africa .
I’m honored to hear it, thank you! 🙏🏾
@@MagatteWadeOfficial Dear Magatte, I have to make sure you understand what you stand for
It is with a heavy heart that I find myself compelled to respond to you in this manner, as it deeply pains me to criticize one of our own. However, after watching your two-hour-long conversation with Constantine on RUclips, I can no longer remain silent. Your approach to the issues at hand is deeply disappointing, especially for someone who claims to be working for the betterment of our societies across Africa. Yet, here you are continually undermining our collective efforts by aligning yourself with figures who stand as enemies of Africans. First Jordan Peterson, and now Constantine on "Trigonometry"? Both have openly dismissed the legitimate grievances of African nations attempting to free themselves from Western influence.
You seem to have read a great deal, but you have not yet grasped the wisdom of Professor George Ayittey’s arguments. It is disheartening to see you invoke his name in an attempt to bolster your own relevance. This misuse is troubling, as it reflects the same kind of leadership Africa is struggling with today-leaders who believe that being on the "right" side of the west is automatically making them infallible. Such arrogance is dangerous. You had the opportunity to engage with people who are genuinely invested in Africa’s future, but instead, you chose to engage with those who discredit and belittle our struggles, “Africa is not poor because of colonisation”, really? This is why I find myself in sharp disagreement with you.
Your assertion that socialism is the root cause of Africa's poverty is simply wrong. I would encourage you to continue reading, as you might eventually understand how capitalism has deliberately underdeveloped Africa to maintain the West's economic and political dominance. You seem to align yourself with radicals who dismiss the impact of colonialism and neo-colonialism on Africa’s current condition. This stance is misguided and reflects a troubling attitude, especially when coupled with the wrong associations.
It is also worth noting that, Professor Ayittey, would be far from pleased with how you are using his ideas to further your aspirations. His vision for Africa was rooted in education and self-sufficiency, not in aligning with outsiders who seek to discredit our continent. Your approach does not align with Professor Ayittey’s principles in any meaningful way. Instead, it comes across as radical, self-serving, and ultimately harmful to Africa’s progress.
Have you ever considered, if socialism is truly as flawed as you claim, why has the United States consistently intervened in socialist nations rather than allowing them to fail on their own? Are you simply uninformed, or have you not studied history deeply enough? If you believe the collapse of the Soviet Union is a proof of socialism’s failure and seek to use that as a basis to criticize Africa’s founding fathers, Nkrumah and Patrice Lamumber, I urge you to explore history more thoroughly. Great empires-Mali, Ghana, Songhai, Kush, Nubia, Kemet, Rome, Greece, and Persia-have all fallen, yet they were rooted in various forms of capitalism. Their demise, much like that of the Soviet Union, was due to overextension, not their economic systems. America, too, is on a similar path of decline, as was Britain before it.
While I agree with you and Professor Ayittey that over-regulation and bureaucracy are significant issues in Africa, I disagree with your belief that democracy is inherently suitable for our continent, Libya before Gaddafi, with Gaddafi, and after Gaddafi is case study for you. Africa does indeed need to find what works best for it outside democracy for now, which may require experimenting with different forms of governance. However, your insistence that you have the ultimate solution for Africa reeks of a colonial mindset, whether you recognize it or not.
Your public statement on a platforms that has long dismissed Africa’s grievances-claiming that the African Union is flawed-is frankly shocking. While it may not fit within your narrow view, the idea of African unity is vital to our collective future. Just as European nations have formed unions while maintaining individual leadership, Africa could benefit from a similar arrangement. Why can you not envision such possibilities? Instead, you seem more interested in advancing your personal entrepreneurial pursuits, rather than considering what is best for the continent as a whole. I do not believe you are suited to advocate for the eradication of poverty in Africa. You appear to be more focused on aligning with Africa’s adversaries, which seems to be your area of expertise.
Finally, regarding your remarks about the Sahel region, you seem to lack understanding. Uranium is selling at €200 per kilo in Niger today, with buyers from around the world including Iran and China, but I guess you would rather prefer the previous arrangement with France at €0.80? Burkina Faso, which now exports onions and tomatoes to Ghana and Ivory Coast, is doing so under its own terms, not following the path of democratic nations you seem to admire. Your perspective on this issue is misguided, and your remarks are dismissive and unhelpful.
I urge you to educate yourself further and stop aligning with those who do not have Africa’s best interests at heart. Africa can trade with the world without having to lick asses. We can equally satisfy our needs, but capitalism does not allow that. Africa is a continent that deserves the opportunity to test its own ideas too, just as the West did over the course of hundreds of years. Capitalism is not the solution for Africa’s challenges, and your continued promotion of such harmful narratives only serves to undermine our progress.
I hope you know that you inspire me to explore my ideas and share them in the world and have made me love Africa immensely more
THIS! Right here! Your words make me so happy. Never give up on beautiful Africa. There will be the rising tide that lifts all boats.
@@MagatteWadeOfficialListening to your talk is really sad because you present an argument with absolutely no evidence. African socialism was a dream NEVER ACHIEVED that was held by the great African freedom fighters. I will give you $1000 if you can show me a well economics analysis of how African countries were socialist at any post colonial period.
I think it's actually the opposite, Africa is poor specifically sub Saharan Africa is the poorest because this is where the largest experiment of capitalism is being practiced 😢. Governments can't even move labor to do the most basic things for themselves, you find a population of 100,000 people unable to even dig themselves a well or construct a road because of individualism. Capitalism handicapped our continent and, I don't know how now we are a success after 50 years plus of capitalism.
Saying that people were enslaved going through Libya because of African socialism that never happened is the biggest account of gaslighting. Isn't it NATO that attacked and destabilized an African country which led to people desperate in their capitalist African countries to go to European countries that are a degree more socialist? Please read more.
Just discovered you recently and keep fighting the good fight as a Ghanaian citizen myself. Looking forward to your work and hopefully, Africa sees the light and embrace free markets.
Love this woman. She is common sense not emotional. She is an inspiration
Being born in socialist Romania, I've experienced first hand the transition from a planned economy, with endless queues for the rationed bread and multi-year waiting lists for electronic devices, to what started to resemble a free market economy. It's a night and day difference and yet, on a full stomach, it's very easy to become nostalgic, contemplate at inequality and forget that being equally hungry is not better than being unequally full. I'm afraid we're condemned to make the same mistakes again in the near future.
I recently came across your work in The Micronation Revolution book. I believe we share a similar mission, and I would be grateful if you could kindly share some of your ideas with our citizens and supporters at some point in the near future.
Heartfelt thanks for the inspiring work you're doing!
I’m impressed. Keep up the good work!
Hey #Wade I’ve been asking myself the same question for many years as an African. 60plus yrs after the so-called independence we still living in the Stone Age era.
Sad indeed .. Isn't it 🥲
It looks like we all have been wondering, but the signal got lost in all the noise.
You see why Nigeria will still be the best in Africa.... Nigeria cannot gi school in America to be useless like you... They go to know the reason why African is still under the colonial powers....
If I guess you are married to a white man.....why did your parents migrate....
You little know what's going on in Africa, make a good search the in answer is in there
Thank you for your contribution, I loved your talk with Jordan Peterson. I have always had the desire to go to Africa to put my skills to use in problem solving to make a positive contribution with my entrepreneurial mindset.
I've been saying this for years. Here in the UK we are brow beaten endlessly about our historical guilt of colonialism, a period that few have experienced in their lifetimes, and few are responsible for. 60 years later how much of Africa's woes can be attributed to colonialism. Look at how far other countries have grown in a similar period. South Korea was poorer than many African countries 60 years ago and they went through a bloody war. Look at the damage socialism has done to Latin America. I also believe that its an insult to Africans to assume that they cannot forge their own destinies without the beneficence of the West. Kenya and Ghana seem to have shifted from the socialist mindset and are growing as a result. I look forward to an African renaissance. Magatte, I don't know how you do it. I'm an entrepreneur myself and its hard enough with the fabulous infrastructure that surrounds me. You are an inspiration. Grassroots free enterprise will provide the seeds for future economic prosperity not government intervention and handouts.
colonialism is largely why the way of the colonizers was rejected and their form of socialism was explored and used as a mode of breaking away from the colonizers. its cause and effect.
@@acedusse5119
Only to devolve into kleptocracies making it easy for leaders to take the resources and treasury for themselves at the expense of the rest of the country. Never mind being Russian/Chinese puppets.
Magatte Wade should be spoken about all over America, especially in inner city community's.. this woman is formidable in all the right ways
Doing the Lords work by educating people, Thank you, Ms. Wade
You are just a Beautiful Person and a Shinning light To all us Africans I just want you to know that You've given a young African kid like me a burning Flame which I will do my best to carry and one day achieve that dream of your's of Bringing my country Cameroon and Africa as a whole out of this Poverty and White supremacy Idea Our culture has Forced To me for 17years of my life
I'd like to thank you for this Awakening I've been searching for ♥️🙏🏾
Your passion brought me to tears at the end. That was beautiful! Cheers to prosperity of Africa!
Keep going, you have ears in Africa. It's only a difference of time.
I blame the intellectuals, too. I recently registered for a PhD. My first two weeks in class revealed the problem with nigeria. Our intellectuals do not know how to grow wealth. They know how to attack those who know create wealth. In class it was all "let's take their wealth and distribute it".
The irony is that I am studying a PhD in business administration.
In fact, I intend to abandon the PhD.
Intellectuals live off of grants, private donations and taxpayers through public-sector salaries.
@@shauncameron8390 Ayn Rand calls them 'purveyors of subsidized class rooms'.
@@eleahake7353yes, start your own business instead. Start small, maybe learn to use an accounting program and do accounting for others, start a gardening business, dog grooming/walking, etc. maybe ask Mrs. Wade what she recommends?
Intellectuals exist on the productivity of a nation without acknowledgement.
Thank you so much for this different point of view; I wish I knew it sooner. Being a sophomore in highschool, I have to do a National History Day project about a turning point in history. I have always been moved by the poor situation in Africa and how we in America can have so much while others don't even have the bare minimum. Last year in my AP World History class I learned about African colonization for the first time and I made the connection, like many others, that all of Africa's modern day problems like violent and unstable political regimes, wide-spread hunger, overcrowding, and overall poverty were due to the neglect of the colonizing countries and the lack of support they gave to decolonizing Africa. This is what I based my project on. Now that I see that my view doesn't portray the full picture, I wish I could change my topic but unfortunately it is too late and I must continue with it, but I will try to incorporate how the acceptance of socialism in decolonizing Africa and the lack of business friendly laws have kept Africa in poverty. I can also lay out the plan for businesses to be made in Africa so the economy can be strengthened and progress can be made in Africa escaping poverty and becoming prosperous and more independent. Thank you so much again for this information. I seriously admire your passion for this cause and for taking the initiative to make a better future.
Sako Toura's remark, "I would rather be poor and free than rich and enslaved," encapsulates the value of freedom over material wealth, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and dignity above financial gain.
India follows the same B.S
Socialism for 60 years. Also Guyana and most of the Caribbean nations.
Am glad that this young lady has discovered the truth about the "intellectuals" that spew out just words .... that is all that they can do, and Karl Marx that never worked in his life, was a prime example, being the typical parasite sponging off others, and could look instead at workers ALL day, yet even copying the writings of others' thoughts and making them as his own.
I suggest for everyone to start reading the wonderful texts of the Afro-American professor "Thomas Sowell", who originally was a Marxist when young. He has being, after my father, the best guide in my life. One can find PDF versions on Internet.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were part of the very same bourgeoisie they denounced plus had nothing but contempt for the working class.
@@shauncameron8390 How true!
FOR ALL THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE WORLD
My father often came to visit me on the family farm at weekends. Year 1959.
At 1000 m. above sea level, not so far from the equator, and without air conditioning, the practice after lunch was to have coffee or tea under a beautiful tree near the little house we had built a few years earlier.
As a young man, I enjoyed listening to stories from my father's life, and how he came to be in Africa.
During one such story, he stopped midway, and waiting for it to continue, I kept looking into the distance. The prolonged silence made me think he wasn't feeling well. Instead he was reflecting. I asked him what.
"Did you see the person who passed by a moment ago?" I said yes. “That person came here three years ago, barefoot and dressed in tatters, and begged in his language to give him any work, because he was so hungry! He has now become one of our best plowing tractor operators. And as you have seen, he now walks proudly, and he also has a young wife. "
While he was telling me that, another employee passed by, and my father said that he too was completely ignorant when he first arrived, and now he has become the teacher for new hires, and that he follows them until they understand their task.
I asked him "SO?"
"I was thinking of all the arrogant dictators who think they can change the world!"
"To change the world, it is only necessary to give every human being the opportunity to develop his/her natural talents to the maximum, and following them in their development."
I love what you said so much...❤️❤️ YOU SERIOUSLY ARE A GREAT INSPIRATION
Awesome! You're so inspiring Magatte. Do you have a version with the audio in both ears? 😅
Around late 70s. I come across a book "is socialism conspiracy of the intellectual".since then I trying to find this book.
You are phenomenonal and revolutionary.
Hi, Magatte Wade, you're onto something big, don't be discouraged by any socialist pressure including socialists who may disguise as capitalists.
Wonderful talk
Thank you! Please subscribe to my channel if you hav not done so already 🙏🏾
the fact that schools teach a lot about ww2 but barely anything after that is what forced me to get a bit suspicious. now that I've done a much deeper dive on Socialism than I could ever get in school I finally understand that Socialism is pure evil. it gets even more disturbing when you find out that the National Socialists and the Fascists were just as Socialist as the Soviets therefor the "Left and Right" labels mean nothing and should be replaced by "Collectivists and Individualists". I've come to the conclusion that the only reason why the "Left" hates the Nazis and Fascists is because they were in the middle of Europe so they can't lie about it in a convincing way. they seem to be perfectly fine with all the massacres committed by all the other Socialists but act like the other two had nothing to do with their progressive collectivist movement. All Socialists hate Religion and the successful.. this should help you understand why they really really really hate the Js
Also fascism was founded by communists. Mussolini, the original fascist, was a card-carrying communist who only became "right-wing" after the left disowned him for his nationalist views.
Much as I like your energy and passion, as someone looking for intellectual matter, I have not found a single thread in any of your arguments. Just pack full of emotional appeals. What a shame?
socialism has kept africa poor, capitalism has americans in a system where we have larger incomes than most but cant afford to live within the system. africa is poor because it is still being controlled by capitalistic powers. Africa cant have money and power while still havng its resources affordable to other nations. economic globalization is about finding low cost goods and work to create products to sell in areas with better economic situations. if the places where ppl's poor economic situation is being leveraged for profit becomes more financially strong and wages increase, then cost of goods to the more prosperous nations would rise and that would cause economic problems in those nations. your hurt that makes you just realize that ideas truly matter probably dont consider the paradox of the african situation.
Criticize by creating as the way to prosperity respecting people and the planet. Good mantra!
Women ,why are there so many western military bases in Africa? There is more in the Marta than your eyes can see .
I won’t argue if you attribute poverty to socialism; some explanations are valid within certain constraints. However, it’s important to recognize that China’s current status is partly due to its socialism and communism. Therefore, my argument suggests that socialism's impact should not be dismissed outright. Socialism in Africa differed significantly from Soviet and Chinese socialism, and perhaps we did not fully understand or implement the concept correctly. In short, the persistent poverty in Africa cannot be solely attributed to socialism, or to the "crazy intellectuals" that you mentioned.
China is, in my opinion, not socialist. They have state capitalism, called socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Chinese people are good, but their system is not good for the average Chinese. The Chinese government, together with the Russian government and the Iranian government, are spreading misinformation and instability around the world. Be careful. Be the captain of your own ship. Check what others are telling
Wow seriously wow... How did socialism as an idea made Africa poor??? Pretty wow.. I have a lot in the table and how I wish I was an attainder of such forum and ask some serious questions. First of all I am a Ghanaian from Ghana and our first prime minister Dr kwame nkrumah chaired the Africa independence throughout the whole continent. We gained independence in 1957 and became Republican in 1960 on 1st July. After I independence the British and the Americans were truly amazed of the things we used our own money and by the help of the eastern corridor namely the Soviet Union and China such as building our own harbour by buying our own ships , building universities, colleges, hospitals, the biggest hydroelectric Dam in the world as at 1961, we were manufacturers of our own cars , built ultra modern railways and roads. Do you know the shocking truth about all these it took just from 1957-1966. No country has developed in such speedy manner not even China after their independence. Dr kwame nkrumah was a serious socialist so what about that? As at 1960s Ghana's GDP was way above India's, parkistan, all the Africa countries, Malaysia, Singapore,etc. I really love your idea as an African lady trying to exonerate Africans but sis you got your facts way wrong. You made mention of Libya and who ruined Libya , was it Gaddafi who was also a socialist or some white NATO and Americans? Libya did what these Europeans and even Americans couldn't do in their entire political history by providing free quality healthcare, free quality housing system, free quality transportation, with still a higher GDP than even most European countries. Who does that😂 apart the great colonel Muhamar Al Gaddafi?? My only one question is if you saying socialism is the course of poverty and bad economy in Africa why is it that coup are still going on in Africa and after the military guys take power they still visit MUSCOW for help ???? why would you go to a destroyer of your economy after many years of partnership if they truly destroyed your ECONOMY 🤔🤔?? Socialism doesn't mean anyone who goes in for such idea is going to be an ANGEL neither is capitalism the same both have negativity and positivity. China is building roads and infrastructures in Africa yet your so-called founders of Capitalism are just building military bases .... As i said your facts doesn't sum up
GOD BLESS YOU 🙏
Not just Africa. Every socialist country remains poor. How many Cubans and Venezuelans try to enter capitalistic US each year?
Socialism needs a rich class and functional economy provide taxes.. africa didn't have that when they made the move in that direction.
Thank you.... visit my island and you will find open hearts and open minds. Keep speaking our truth
You have to come to Algeria how can I contact you ? Much Love
It's not socialism it is capitalism that keeps Africa poor.
Socialism centres the community, capitalism centres capital. Isn't one more humane than the other? I'm understanding that Socialism was Africa's detriment because while the West and global powers were advancing in their capitalism and wealth generation (gained or accelerated on the backs on black and brown people/resources), Africa decided the centre community and justice. Not the inhumane system of capitalism that needs someones back to step on, it needs people at the bottom to be exploited in order to gain prosperity and they chose the communal (whether they did a good job or not, because post-colonial Africa was operating from a place of immense scarcity - material and immaterial scarcity - those placed in government positions that used their position to further their wealth and greed). But before greed and personal gain isn't in alignment with african values such as Ubuntu etc. Inidivualism is western, extraction is weath, exploitation is western.
No. Socialism centers around the government lending itself very well to kleptocracy.
I continue to believe that you will adopt a capitalist approach that exploits Syria and other nations for their resources. This is one of the reasons why intellectuals often critique and oppose capitalism.
Free market, free to explote our resourses
Better than central planning where your resources will be owned and wasted by the government.
Free market is no bourocracy
You talking rubbish when you don't know history
Absolutely nonsense
Amen 🙏🏽
Which country are you from
Senegal 🇸🇳
You just wasted 12 minutes of my life, with pure nonsense
Te amo mi amor
I beg to differ, the problem is not socialism. Socialism failed because capitalism became a more dominant ideology globally after the end of the cold war. Both socialism and capitalism in their raw form are not ideal ideologies. China is a communist country but have also been forced to adjust their ideology to fit into the dominant global capitalist system so they could have a competitive edge. They however still have many elements of socialism in their governance structures.
Most African countries inherited capitalist driven economies that served a minority wealthy white race better than the majority black race. However in their fight to liberate their countries they were trained by communist socialist countries who unfortunately had a totally different system of governance, so the failure at independence was a result a conflict of ideologies and lack of understanding of the capitalist system which they took over without any transitional handover process. Adjusting a capitalist system that served a minority race best to now serve the majority race fairly was not going to produce desired outcomes in a short space of time considering the new leadership had no experience even though many of them had the academic credentials (theoratiucal understanding).
My observation on the context and definitions of these ideologies is that they have never been implemented exclusively in any society. It's practically impossible as I see it. If you look closely the modern day America, they are capitalistic in their foreign policy but in their systems of governance they try to balance between capitalism and socialism. The introduction of unemployment benefits is a clear testimony.
From Dictionary.com:
Socialism: noun
a theory or system of social organization that advocates the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, capital, land, etc., by the community as a whole, usually through a centralized government.
procedure or practice in accordance with this theory.
(in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.
Voluntary socialism on a small scale, as in kibbutzim or monasteries, is fine. But state-led socialism has always failed.
After Mao had killed 60 million or so, his successors looked for better ways to organize their economy. They explicitly modeled their Special Economic Zones on Hong Kong and Singapore, the two jurisdictions with the most economic freedom in the world (and not coincidentally the fastest growing jurisdictions in the world from 1960 to today). The economic freedom indices were designed by economists, including several Nobel laureates, in order to dispel confusions around what governments are more "capitalist" vs. "socialist." While not perfect, I see these indices as more reliable than rhetoric. And the data shows that nations with more economic freedom are more prosperous. African nations generally have the lowest levels of economic freedom, though a few are more highly ranked. Review the latest Fraser Institute economic freedom report to learn more.
Socialism fails because it is delusional.
Social programs are not the same as Socialism, as even monarchies and theocracies have handed out bread and given shelter to the poor; so unemployment benefits should be considered a social program, not Socialism.
SOCIALISM VS COMMUNISM: It is a huge source of confusion, but the two terms were used as synonyms originally. Modern generations attempt to separate them as two distinct philosophies, but they are really the same thing. Look at the dichotomy this way: A young apple tree is still an apple tree even though it has never borne fruit; while the mature tree proves what it is by the fruit it bears. Socialism is the young tree -- Communism is the mature tree -- still the same tree... So the goal of Socialism IS Communism; just like the goal of a seedling is to bear fruit.
What is this "fruit" that Socialism/Communism strives to bear? a global Utopia where each state controls and disseminates the wealth of the masses; and where religion (particularly Christianity,) is obliterated.
@@Troy-Moses Yes, thank you for your thoughtful and informed comment.
China adapted State Capitalism because they had a billion people on their hand that they had to feed. No one forced china to do anything.