Will Africa rise in the next 100 years?

[selenius4tsd]

How bout something different - instead of asking whether USA or Europe will fall, how about Africa 'rising out of the ashes'?
(No racist or throwaway remarks pls thanx.)

And btw I am African myself so you're welcome to ask whether we really do have lions outside our huts. :original: (The answer is no. Damn. Always wanted adventure )

[Erik]

I voted Maybe.
I don't see Africa rise in the next 50 years, but in 100 years who knows?

And selenius: where in Africa are you from?
I grew up in Ghana myself, we didn't have lions either but we did have snakes and lots of scorpions.

My fathers wife, who is also from Ghana, said some people in the USA asked her if she used to live in a tree.
Thought that was funny.
(btw: the answer is no, Africans do not live in trees).

[Siblesz]

No. The typical African society is no match for their Northern European, American, or East Asian counterparts. It has nothing to do with race, IMO, but with how a society is structured and how the people in such societies co-exist and coordinate themselves in said structure.

Won't happen today, won't happen in 100 years. It will take a lot more than 100 years to A.) rid Africa of its current problems, which is the least bit of its worries, B.) provide stability and unity in the area, which is a lot more difficult, and C.) change the structure of African society, which is just near impossible, in most cases.

[Lancea Quantum]

Cant see Africa rising. No chance.

[Lusted]

Voted maybe. I can definitely see parts of it rising, as some of the countries are already quite stable and have stable economies, but for other parts im not sure.

[Rhah]

I would love to see it happen, but with the damage that global warming and AIDS is likely to do to most of the continent over the next couple of decades, coupled with the ongoing political problems and exploitation by western nations and corporations, I cant see it happening.
The only way is for the more stable African nations to try and form some sort of economic and political union (like the EU) and gradually bring in the other, less stable nations and try to use the promise of wealth to discourage tribal and ethnic hatred. This could only really be done with support from the rest of the world, and I don't think that support will be particularly forthcoming.

[KaerMorhen]

I've been working with guys from Sambia - nice folks, I did enjoy their companion for "life enthusiasm". But back to topic Africa needs a grow and rise, although it won't be painless and easy to achieve. Mixture of ethnic, religious and political conflicts is rather frightening than encouraging. I don't think Africans would be able to get things done just by themselfs and international help is needed anyways. I wish you luck but really doubt that in 100 years most of things will be changed for better.

[Holger Danske]

Africa is too damaged by wars and famine to rise within 100 years, and geopolitically it has no international power at all. Of all the countries on that continent South Africa is the only country I truely believe will be able to do anything good. I mean just look at how it's going in Somailia and various other countries... (thank you Islam)

[Manji]

Unfortunately no. To quote partially from Holger Danske:

Africa is too damaged by wars and famine to rise within 100 years, and geopolitically it has no international power at all. Of all the countries on that continent South Africa is the only country I truely believe will be able to do anything good. I mean just look at how it's going in Somailia and various other countries...

As a side note, some former portuguese colonies in Africa actually requested a couple of years ago to be re-integrated as a overseas department of sort but our government refused on the ground of "colonialism never again" which is plain stupid: every single infrastructure in our former colonies was constructed by portuguese labour and the african colonials lived much better than they live today or can hope to in the next 100+ years. Instead of a win-win situation they get a war torn country and we get "fascism never again!" speeches.

[wilpuri]

I see neo-colonialism really as the only way to bring some order into the dark continent. Of course, this isn't realistically possible in our day and age. As for South Africa, everything has started going south since the Apartheid. A place I'd never like to live in.

[Carach]

will take a lot longer than 100 years for africa to 'rise'

its always been a dump and it will continue to be well into the future (i say dump as in, economic mess,civil war etc)

the world shouldnt have forced the british empire to disband, both a stabilising influence and a force for good.

[The White Knight]

Voted maybe. I think they will eventually "rise" to the same level of industrialised countries if help and policies are made more efficient and if the west is prepared to give in some power. I doubt if that'll happen within the next 100 years, but then again: who knows?

[Tom Paine]

will take a lot longer than 100 years for africa to 'rise'

its always been a dump and it will continue to be well into the future (i say dump as in, economic mess,civil war etc)

the world shouldnt have forced the british empire to disband, both a stabilising influence and a force for good.

The British Empire disbanded based on local unrest and instability; it had become the opposite of that stabilising force for good. Equally it wasn't by any means the British Empire alone that controlled Africa.

[RZZZA]

If everyone there stops believing in superstition and tradition, who knows? Those two things are holding africa back.

[Armfelt]

the world shouldnt have forced the british empire to disband, both a stabilising influence and a force for good.

There were several other nations that had colonies. I'm not sure whether or not I should answer your second point due to my hate towards British people who share your ideas, I think I'll restraint myself since bashing "the good ol'" British empire would just be to sink to the same level as you French (who are by the way the only of the old colonies that has managed to create some order around there) bashers do.

[Carach]

There were several other nations that had colonies. I'm not sure whether or not I should answer your second point due to my hate towards British people who share your ideas, I think I'll restraint myself since bashing "the good ol'" British empire would just be to sink to the same level as you French (who are by the way the only of the old colonies that has managed to create some order around there) bashers do.

that is quite frankly hilarious, because if you look at the world count, most of the old british colonies do infact have some order to them, and are usually more of the advanced nations. Unlike many of France's old colonies who continue to live in extreme poverty (cameroon for example)

If you hate the british empire so strongly then you have not learnt anything about it.

The British Empire disbanded based on local unrest and instability; it had become the opposite of that stabilising force for good. Equally it wasn't by any means the British Empire alone that controlled Africa.

There has always been unrest in empires, especially in the largest empire the world has ever seen... Internal issues have never brought down an empire (none so trivial as what the british were experiencing at least). Internal issues could always be dealt with as they had been for several hundred years up to that point.

It was not an unstable force - Everyone (except America) saw the British Empire as a stabilising force in the world - Even Hitler. The British Empire led the way in human rights, equality and so forth. a much more equal society existed in its empire than in the supposed land of the free (aka America).

I dont think you have read much into the workings or the history of the British Empire, or the circumstances involved in its downfall. Maybe you should in order to better combat me on this kind of argument? (I recommend "Empire" by Niall Ferguson for as unbias view as possible)

As for Africa, i am also awarethat Britain did not control all of Africa but it did control at least half. Its half were a lot better off than places ive mentioned above such as Cameroon, Ethiopa (Italy) and belgian territories.

Fact is, imperialists brought law and order to the region, and like what always happens (with little exception) when theres a power vacuum after the collapse of a major empire (or several as is the case with Africa), there will be conflict afterwards, the natives go back to the way they were for the most part (That is evident enough, they were in tribes killing each other with little infrastructure before we came, and thats what it has gone back to in the majority of the continent)

The majority of Africa has little infrastructure as a result, lack of capable government, continuing debt (and dont blame western powers for that completely, they have had more than enough cash to get themselves up if they didnt spend it on weapons to kill each other and so forth), ongoing civil wars and conflicts in general....it isnt realistic to see a 'rise of Africa' within a 100 years.

[Last Roman]

If current aforementioned problems continue, then no, or at least Africa won't rise as a whole. But I believe that certain nations will, most notably South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt (assuming pressure for democratic reforms moves on)

[wilpuri]

If current aforementioned problems continue, then no, or at least Africa won't rise as a whole. But I believe that certain nations will, most notably South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt (assuming pressure for democratic reforms moves on)

You begin by saying, that yes, if Africa can overcome its problems, it will rise. Can you hear Orly the Owl saying "Oh rly?" Then you say, that democratic reform is somehow crucial here. I always thought that a stable and economically well-off society filled the requirements of democratic reform, not the other way around.

[Last Roman]

You begin by saying, that yes, if Africa can overcome its problems, it will rise. Can you hear Orly the Owl saying "Oh rly?" Then you say, that democratic reform is somehow crucial here. I always thought that a stable and economically well-off society filled the requirements of democratic reform, not the other way around.

Nigeria and to a lesser extent Egypt are some what economically sound. And much of Egypt's internal problems are caused by lack of a democratic/republican gov't. I believe that once those reforms take place, then Egypt will become a much more stable country.

[wilpuri]

Nigeria and to a lesser extent Egypt are some what economically sound. And much of Egypt's internal problems are caused by lack of a democratic/republican gov't. I believe that once those reforms take place, then Egypt will become a much more stable country.

Care to elaborate? I think its corruption, nepotism and incompetence, not lack of democracy, that is crippling African governments.