THE CHARACTER OF THE AFRICAN STATE AND ITS IMPACT ON ITS ECONOMY HAS
ITS ORIGIN IN COLONIAL AFRICA.
For every present, there is a history, the character of the African
state and its impact on the economy today cannot be discussed in
isolation of its historical antecedents. To properly explicate the
character of the African state and its economy, it can be examined at
three levels for ease of analysis i.e. Pre-colonial, colonial and
post-colonial states. To explain the post-colonial state and its
economy therefore would require that the antecedents provided by the
colonial state and colonial economy in Africa be examined. This is to
provide a frame of analysis which links the political economy of the
post-colonial state in Africa with the political economy of the
colonial state.
The colonial state in Africa was an exploitative social formation that
was administered mainly as a dependent political economy intended to
serve external interests i.e.interests outside the continent. Because
of this character, public policies relating to economic sectors such
as trade, commerce, agriculture, industry, finance, education etc.
were all rooted in the ideology of dependency and colonial
imperialism. All policies which existed were driven at serving
metropolitan interests.
The colonial African state was also built on a political formation
meant to serve external interests at the expense of the interests of
the indigenous African people. In other words, it undermined the
indigenous interests of the African people. By implication, economic
policies that were formulated were directed not towards domestic
development, but were driven by external interests and metropolitan
interests of imperialism and exploitation. With this, there was no way
there could have being an economy that was promoting indigenous
development and interests.
Another feature which characterized the colonial African state was the
fact that it was administered under a non-representative,
non-democratic and non-accountable political system. Under this
system, there was no sense of urgency in the pursuit of economic
growth or development since it was exploitative motive that the
colonialists wanted to achieve and not the developmental interests of
the indigenous people.
If the state is dark in complexion, the economy will automatically be
dark in complexion. If the state is anemic and epileptic, the economy
will also be anemic and epileptic. If the state pursues public
policies that are founded on the ideology of dependency, the economy
will be dependent. These were the features that characterized the
colonial African state and its economy. Because of this characteristic
feature. We had an economy that was highly disabled. It was disabled
in the sense that it had no foundation for growth, it was not driven
by policies of development, not even policies of self-sufficiency
rather, dependency was the ideology.
It was as a result of the consequences of these ideologies of
exploitation and dependency that the struggle for political
independence was waged in order to have a state that would support a
self-sufficient economy, a state that would pursue domestic interests
rather than external interests but unfortunately, the post-colonial
state in Africa has not been able to meet such laudable expectations.
The post-colonial state in Africa has manifested the pathological
features of the colonial state. The evidence of this can be found in
the nature of the corrupt and exploitative nature of African
politicians. The post-colonial African state lacks the capacity to
deliver. Basic needs and expectations such as dispensation of equity,
fair play, Justice, improvement in political culture and equitable
distribution of political goods after independence are not being met.
Also worthy of note is the nature of the political economy of most
African states especially its incorporation into the world system of
capitalist exploitation and dependency.
The character of the post-colonial state in Africa has allowed
politics to become rather than an instrument of service, a lucrative
enterprise that allocates privileges and makes possible, personal
enrichment through corruption, exploitation and other unethical
conducts in the public realm. The state has become a distributor of
opportunity for profiteering. Apparently, there is no single or
genuine business that can be undertaken that can be more enriching
than politics. It is the single allocator of opportunities for profit
making, hence the reason why a large number of the society want to
delve into it.
The post-colonial state has also been characterized by manifestation
of neo-colonialism. This is evident in the disregard for due process
and the rule of law, absence of democratic polity, abuse and misuse of
political power, dependence on foreign made goods, dominance of the
advanced countries on Africa and third world countries in terms of
economy, religion, politics and culture. Also are manifestations of
characteristics such as corruption, exploitation, fighting for
personal interests and the search for opportunities of enhancing
personal aggrandizement and because of these, policies that are dished
out are not policies that promote growth and development. It is
pathetic when in the 21st century, government is building bore-hole
for communities and they beat their chests that they have done a
remarkable project.
Owing to all of these, the character of the post colonial African
state and its economy can be seen to be an inherited one characterized
by dependency and exploitation.
SLAVERY
Born in the theatre of natural plenty
Breast-fed and mid-wifed by capitalist selfishness
A colonial and exploitative social formation
We were told to close our eyes for prayers
And all we had were carted away
They said we were a dark continent
That we had no history
That we were from the lineage of apes and gorillas
That we were guided by instincts
And not reasoning
But where were their forebears
When ours communicated with proverbs
Where were they
When events were recorded in names, songs and totems
We trailed and endured the path of hunger
Until things began to fall apart in the colonial regimes
We crossed the river between oppression and liberation
Foolish us!
We moved from primitive slavery
To civilized slavery
Is slavery not slavery?
Like bracelets they tricked us into their wrists
Our identity and language
Now I the abyss of non-recognition
We remain a lone voice
In the wilderness of marginalization
Handwork of internal collaborators
Albert seraphin
