There has been a direct link between economic progress and
political progress in Africa. The two are very correlated, and it makes sense
that with a better leader in power there will be more prosperity for the
country. This was not always so for Africa. The country was trapped in a
downward spiral of bad economics and bad political leaders. One strength has
come from better security in a region that has been troubled by violence for
decades. This violence all started by several wars fought over for independence.
Africa is becoming less bloody and more prosperous. In the 1990’s there were
328,000 fatalities in conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa. These numbers are
according to the Conflict Data Program at Sweden’s Uppsala University.
Fatalities were down by more than half by the early 2000’s. We have talked in
class about how violence and economic downfall go hand in hand. If a country is
torn apart by wars there is no way it can hold a high economic standing. If a
country is unable to settle its own disputes often times another country will
have to come in and take charge. This can be a good thing but it can also turn
into an ugly thing very quickly. That nation loses its sovereignty and is
forced to do with the invading country deem necessary. Sub-Saharan Africa
remains one of the most conflict and battle-prone regions in the world, but it
appears to be becoming less so. The rise in democracy in neighboring countries
is one reason for this positive change.
7:43pm
4/19/13
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