Monday, October 22, 2012
Africa's Development Impasse: Rethinking the Political Economy of Transformation~ Eric Mokube
Africa's Development Impasse: Rethinking the Political Economy of Transformation~ Eric Mokube
Click to read: http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/africa_today/summary/v057/57.4.mokube.html
Democracy, Yoruba Politics & ACN Governance - Issues at Stake (A Rejoinder to a recent FB posting by one of my Political Mentors)
Uncle Ayo Owoade; the critical issue(s) for my generation is much more than just "electing" 6 Governors
"democratically" in our corner of the Nigerian Federation and then
thinking that this is the SOLE END PRODUCT of "Democracy" for our
people!!!
The END PRODUCT of Democracy is for ELECTED OFFICIALS
(alongside their appointed officials) to use the instrumentality of
their PUBLIC/ELECTED OFFICES to effect a MASSIVE (& continuously
ongoing) improvements (social, economic, educational, cultural,
infrastructural, health, agricultural, environmental, vocational, etc)
in the lives of their electorates & in their
communities/constituencies towards GREATLY improving the QUALITY &
STANDARDS OF LIFE/LIVING for those who used "democracy" to elect such
officials in the first place!
Elections & Democracy are not a cyclical purposeless jamboree (with little to show for it on the side of the electorates apart from a >70% chronic poverty in the land of plenty alongside all its negative societal consequences all over the land while their elected officials amass all the wealth of the land/benefits of democracy)!!!
Elections & Democracy have CONSEQUENCES & IMPLICATIONS on the two sides of the "Democratic Equation" (i.e "The Elected" & "The Electorates") and it will be very wrong, unjust & hypocritical for us to ever assume it is only "The Elected" who are supposed to be enjoying the "Dividends of Democracy" not only in "Yoruba Land", but all across the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as my generation is not interested in "sectional/local politics" only; but also in national + continental + international politics - which has a much better guarantee to ensure that all our people (at home & elsewhere) get a much better deal from "their democracy"!
I believe it is long overdue for us all to change our mindset/worldview about
governance in a democratic (& independent nation) setting and stop practicing "Monacracy" (an absurd & anachronistic amalgam of absolute monarchy and autocratic/despotic democracy a.k.a "Demon-Kiracy") if we ever want to make progress in our corner of the world, break the shackles of our unenviable past (which has held us hostage & is causing untold agonies all over our land + nation) and rapidly turn the "learning curve" of "Democracy" to our advantage following the footsteps/examples of countries like Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Ghana, etc who have shown us what can be achieved via "Democracy"!
We don't have to reinvent the wheel of democracy; we only need to make some minor adjustments to it (to reflect local peculiarities without jeopardizing the very ESSENTIAL BASIS/TENETS OF DEMOCRACY)!
There is still hope for "our democracy "; but this will only be possible if our "Elected + Appointed Leaders" (& their Traditional Leaders counterparts/partners) give it a chance to survive & blossom by making the much needed personal sacrifices & attitudinal changes to make it so!
Our people MUST enjoy "their democracy" and not be daily cursing their stars/lots as they continue to bear the yokes/shackles of centuries of absolute feudal monarchical tyranny/leadership culture which is now wearing the toga of "Democracy" & pretending to be one too!!!
Yours in the quest for a better Nigerian Nation, African Continent & Global Community;
'Gbolahan 'Gbolaga Olubowale MSW,
President & CEO,
Nigeria & Africa Renaissance Initiative Inc,
USA.
http://nigeriaandafricarenaissanceinitiative.blogspot.com/2011/02/introducingnigeria-africa-renaissance.html
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Transformational-Change-Movement/130906946970118
https://twitter.com/9ja_Renaissance
Elections & Democracy are not a cyclical purposeless jamboree (with little to show for it on the side of the electorates apart from a >70% chronic poverty in the land of plenty alongside all its negative societal consequences all over the land while their elected officials amass all the wealth of the land/benefits of democracy)!!!
Elections & Democracy have CONSEQUENCES & IMPLICATIONS on the two sides of the "Democratic Equation" (i.e "The Elected" & "The Electorates") and it will be very wrong, unjust & hypocritical for us to ever assume it is only "The Elected" who are supposed to be enjoying the "Dividends of Democracy" not only in "Yoruba Land", but all across the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as my generation is not interested in "sectional/local politics" only; but also in national + continental + international politics - which has a much better guarantee to ensure that all our people (at home & elsewhere) get a much better deal from "their democracy"!
I believe it is long overdue for us all to change our mindset/worldview about
governance in a democratic (& independent nation) setting and stop practicing "Monacracy" (an absurd & anachronistic amalgam of absolute monarchy and autocratic/despotic democracy a.k.a "Demon-Kiracy") if we ever want to make progress in our corner of the world, break the shackles of our unenviable past (which has held us hostage & is causing untold agonies all over our land + nation) and rapidly turn the "learning curve" of "Democracy" to our advantage following the footsteps/examples of countries like Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Ghana, etc who have shown us what can be achieved via "Democracy"!
We don't have to reinvent the wheel of democracy; we only need to make some minor adjustments to it (to reflect local peculiarities without jeopardizing the very ESSENTIAL BASIS/TENETS OF DEMOCRACY)!
There is still hope for "our democracy "; but this will only be possible if our "Elected + Appointed Leaders" (& their Traditional Leaders counterparts/partners) give it a chance to survive & blossom by making the much needed personal sacrifices & attitudinal changes to make it so!
Our people MUST enjoy "their democracy" and not be daily cursing their stars/lots as they continue to bear the yokes/shackles of centuries of absolute feudal monarchical tyranny/leadership culture which is now wearing the toga of "Democracy" & pretending to be one too!!!
Yours in the quest for a better Nigerian Nation, African Continent & Global Community;
'Gbolahan 'Gbolaga Olubowale MSW,
President & CEO,
Nigeria & Africa Renaissance Initiative Inc,
USA.
http://nigeriaandafricarenaissanceinitiative.blogspot.com/2011/02/introducingnigeria-africa-renaissance.html
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Transformational-Change-Movement/130906946970118
https://twitter.com/9ja_Renaissance
Economic Development in Africa – Opportunities and Challenges
Economic Development in Africa – Opportunities and Challenges
~ Elisabeth Tankeu, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union, Addis Abeba
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Introduction:
The current development situation of Africa is paradoxical. Although it is arguably the richest continent in terms of natural resources, Africa remains the poorest and the least developed region of the world. The numerous problems accounting for this paradox can be resolved and Africa can emerge as a major global partner and actor and become a continent of opportunities. With an abundance of natural resources, a young and growing population, and a large potential market, Africa is the last global frontier that will follow the current emerging powers of China, India and South America. Concerted efforts on the part of African countries and international community can accelerate the process of Africa becoming global power and a continent of possibilities.
### How can economic growth be translated into sustainable poverty reduction and equitable social development, benefiting the population at large?
### What is needed to maintain the economic growth that Africa has experienced over the last years?
### What are the main challenges with regards to promoting the interests and possibilities of African business?
### What can African countries and organizations do to reshape the regulatory environment, creating a more investment friendly climate?
### What can the international community do in this regard?
Read article : http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/kampanjer/refleks/innspill/afrika/tankeu.html?id=533426
~ Elisabeth Tankeu, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union, Addis Abeba
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Introduction:
The current development situation of Africa is paradoxical. Although it is arguably the richest continent in terms of natural resources, Africa remains the poorest and the least developed region of the world. The numerous problems accounting for this paradox can be resolved and Africa can emerge as a major global partner and actor and become a continent of opportunities. With an abundance of natural resources, a young and growing population, and a large potential market, Africa is the last global frontier that will follow the current emerging powers of China, India and South America. Concerted efforts on the part of African countries and international community can accelerate the process of Africa becoming global power and a continent of possibilities.
### How can economic growth be translated into sustainable poverty reduction and equitable social development, benefiting the population at large?
### What is needed to maintain the economic growth that Africa has experienced over the last years?
### What are the main challenges with regards to promoting the interests and possibilities of African business?
### What can African countries and organizations do to reshape the regulatory environment, creating a more investment friendly climate?
### What can the international community do in this regard?
Read article : http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/kampanjer/refleks/innspill/afrika/tankeu.html?id=533426
Key Ingredients for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development ~ Ketumile Masire, former President of the Republic of Botswana
Key Ingredients for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development ~ Ketumile Masire, former President of the Republic of Botswana
Click to read: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/global_ethics/laughlin-lectures/democracy-africa.html
Click to read: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/global_ethics/laughlin-lectures/democracy-africa.html
Social Development Strategies A paper from the India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum
Social Development Strategies
A paper from the India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum
Elements for Integrated IBSA Strategies:
1. Addressing Vulnerabilities and Fostering Social and Economic Inclusion
2. Moving from flagships to comprehensive social protection
3. Investing in human capital and ensuring access to basic services
4. Ensuring Food Security
5. Promoting Civil Society Participation and Deepening Democracy
6. Working towards sustainable development
7. Embracing local knowledge and culture
http://www.ibsa-trilateral.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=129&Itemid=46
A paper from the India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum
Elements for Integrated IBSA Strategies:
1. Addressing Vulnerabilities and Fostering Social and Economic Inclusion
2. Moving from flagships to comprehensive social protection
3. Investing in human capital and ensuring access to basic services
4. Ensuring Food Security
5. Promoting Civil Society Participation and Deepening Democracy
6. Working towards sustainable development
7. Embracing local knowledge and culture
http://www.ibsa-trilateral.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=129&Itemid=46
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