Study claims Africa is poor because of too much diversity

This study, along with the partial rebuttal in the article has many, many points to discuss, debate and argue about. It will no doubt be very controversial, as it always is whenever anyone discusses the serious problems that Africans have in the modern world, and because this is a pair of economists debating something that's really in the realm of psychology or anthropology. I am surprised though that no one looked at the very obvious answer that most of us have already figured out, which is that resource scarcity in colder countries selected for traits like analysis, economics and planning, which are not really necessary in places like Africa where you can find food all year long.

www.washingtonpost.com...

If Africa is poor because of too much diversity then why is the United States not poor also?

Diversity named as an enemy to mankind is very Marxist. You cannot have Freedom without diversity.

I call the study a load of communist crap.

a reply to: CB328

Really interesting! I just skimmed the source, and it looks like a very worthwhile one. Will read it later, just wanted to F/S your thread....thanks.

a reply to: TinfoilTP

I call the study a load of communist crap.

Why do you?

a reply to: CB328

Tread carefully.

you may run into the hidden data of worldwide IQ scores and that a large part of IQ is genetic. a minimum average IQ of 90 is needed for democracy to function.
Anyone who talks about the data is a racist, and anyone who publishes the data is fired from their post/job.

perhaps 50 years from now the data will be considered and policy changes will be based on this data but it is dangerous to speak of it as of now.

If Africa is poor because of too much diversity then why is the United States not poor also?

We're getting poorer as we get more diverse and more crowded, although the rich are getting richer.

originally posted by: BuzzyWigs
a reply to: TinfoilTP

I call the study a load of communist crap.

Why do you?

You cannot have Freedom without diversity

You were too selective in your quote, the answer you seek was right before your cut and paste.

Part of Africa's problem is that by and large its geography just is not conducive to development - very few places for ports, rivers are not friendly to large scale navigation, not easy to build cross country railroads, etc.

Much of this has little to do with the people who live there.

That's funny because I was reading how Africa is embracing the Chinese and their way of government over the western style of government.

Apparently they don't think what we do works for them and I tend to agree. Different strokes for different folks.

originally posted by: onequestion
That's funny because I was reading how Africa is embracing the Chinese and their way of government over the western style of government.

Apparently they don't think what we do works for them and I tend to agree. Different strokes for different folks.

Not much of anything has worked for Africa.

a reply to: TinfoilTP
?? You said you call the study a load of communist crap. That was your final thought. The final paragraph.
I used the final paragraph. If you didn't mean it to stand alone, it should not have been standing alone.

But regarding the preceding opinion:

Diversity named as an enemy to mankind is very Marxist. You cannot have Freedom without diversity.

...how do you see this as a "load of communist crap"?

Africa is poor because it's Africa.

It lacks first world standards of government with integrity and secularism. That and over population. Its pretty hard to keep people happy when they are starving.

Although, Libya before Gaddafi was pushed out was a pretty good place to live if one stayed off Gaddafi's radar.

It lacks first world standards of government with integrity and secularism. That and over population. Its pretty hard to keep people happy when they are starving.

You mean property rights?

originally posted by: BuzzyWigs
a reply to: TinfoilTP
?? You said you call the study a load of communist crap. That was your final thought. The final paragraph.
I used the final paragraph. If you didn't mean it to stand alone, it should not have been standing alone.

But regarding the preceding opinion:

Diversity named as an enemy to mankind is very Marxist. You cannot have Freedom without diversity.

...how do you see this as a "load of communist crap"?

Democracy promotes diversity, communism promotes uniformity.

Pretty simple, yes?

"" Study claims Africa is poor because of too much diversity ""

So that must mean Africa has been devolving for a long time.

Of course, that would mean the implication is that Africa needs to be for the Africans, yes?

If any other ethnicity said that about their area of the world ... say Europe ... wouldn't that be racist?

a reply to: TinfoilTP

According to what I learned from the last Vice episode on HBO Africa doesn't like the west meddling in its politics and that's part of the problem.

China is spending billions on African infrastructure and I support then.

I think the power balance is changing in the world.

Don't forget about what China said a few years ago about rebuilding the trade routes there.

If we are smart we will build a better relationship with them. Many Africans are smart just like the Arabs but they are very trival and the western style of governance won't work with any of these countries.

Its time we stop telling them how to run their countries and building trade relations similar in fashion to how China is doing it.

I'd like to travel there and even live there one day.

a reply to: onequestion

Don't live in south Africa... * shudders *

a reply to: onequestion

"Building a better relationship" is by definition "meddling in politics" since that is under the umbrella of diplomacy, generally undertaken on the level of nation to nation, government to government.

However, I would be all for not sending them foreign aid since they seem to not appreciate it.

The problem with Africa is Africans, they are also the solution. They are the only ones at the end of the day that can do or not do the things required to make their continent a better place.