A New Imperialism to Create a New Africa

This is a Catholicgauze rant. Feel free to skip over it if you wish

As I wrote before I have a plan to fix Africa. Lexington Green was partly right on my theory but a bit off.

Before we start off here are some givens:

• Africa is in bad shape. Al Qaeda-allied pirates are increasing their attacks; dictators are starving their own people; and multiple atrocities are being committed which would make the Nazis blush.
• Billions of dollars of aid are being wasted every year by klepotmatic, corrupt regimes. It has been estimated that up to 9,000 people die a day due to poverty.
• Independence is an important right for states. Africa has had both good and bad experiences
• Turmoil in Africa is bad for everyone. Things from AIDS to Islamism negatively affect both Africans and the rest of the world.
• Finally, it is better to teach a man to fish then to give them one.

First off the immediate deadly conflicts need to be ended. Whether by an international coalition force (the US is too tied down with current and possibly future problems to get involved) or private military companies like Blackwater; the Arab bands in Darfur need to be stopped and their allies in the Sudanese government overthrown. The Islamic Court Union in Somalia also needs to be destroyed.

The second step is to rebuild governments. This will be a long, several part plan starting off from pure imperialism, to transitional joint-government, to complete independence. The occupation government should be filled with people from political backgrounds (State Department-types), military types, and allied non-corrupt Africans.

The third step is also the first step for countries that need not be overthrown. It is also the main part of the new imperialism. It is an infrastructural imperialism. The political structure can be 100% native but all aid and infrastructure should be handled by foreign powers. This will be the condition of receiving any aid at all. The controlling power can be political countries or trusted groups like the Red Cross or Catholic or Anglican Church. Clinics, schools, roads, etc. at first must be in the hands of those who know how they can be operated. Eventually, the foreign civil servants can train natives to be their replacements.

While the infrastructural imperialism is in place the political overhaul should continue. Corrupt officials must be dismissed. The native armed forces should be built up so the government and foreign civil servants can be defended without foreign intervention from those who would try to destabilize the country.

Also at this point the AIDS crisis needs to be addressed. The deadly disease is being spread not only by horrible health conditions but also by bad cultural practices. In some areas of sub-Saharan Africa rape and polygamy are accepted. These practices have lead to a boom of AIDS cases. Laws must be passed outlawing rape. Polygamy must also be outlawed. These laws will enfranchise women and help curb the virus' spread. The two results will help a liberal democratic society grow. Foreign owned clinics can then see to it that medicine will be combined with healthy practices.

The end result on a case by case basis should be a more efficient government with a much healthier society. It is much easier said then done but people said the same thing could not be done with Japan, Germany, Afghanistan, or Iraq. Marshall Plans work. As documented in Savage Wars for Peace, countries that had American companies like Dole running much of the infrastructure were more likely to be stable.

The test countries, if successful, can then become key players in expanding nation building imperialism to neighboring countries. In short, a sort of domino effect.

Is the plan perfect, no. Are there other plans to heal Africa, yes. But we can all at least agree the status quo cannot be allowed to continue. Thomas Barnett predicted Africa will turn into the next Middle East, let us all pray that we can advance Africa before more violence and bloodshed occurs.

Category: Geopolitics