Terkula Cornelius Igidi
28 September 2008
book review
The book x-rays capitalism as an economic system, but most importantly, it figures out that the capitalism practised in African countries is different from the one practised by the western world. The difference being that the western countries realized the flaws of capitalism and employed the "Great Balancing Act", in which some elements of socialist ideologies such as welfare and social security are incorporated. According to the author, "this was done essentially to cater for those who are disadvantaged by the dynamics of capitalism".
Contrastively, African countries practise core capitalism which in its strictest form is a "winner-takes- all system and the vast majority of people may not be able to make it no matter how hard they try". Thus the absence of a well defined welfare and social security system creates mass unemployment, corruption, and other social vices like armed robbery, prostitution and begging.
The book is divided into part one and part two. Part one comprises of chapters one to nine, while part two has only chapter ten. Chapter one with the title, "Africa: caught in the flaws of capitalism" draws a sharp contrast between western capitalists worlds, particularly Britain and Nigeria. In Britain, an organized welfare and social security system takes care of children, the unemployed and the aged. Besides, basic social amenities are provided to ensure that everybody has access to the necessities of life. Whereas in Nigeria, the unemployed youths, children and the aged are not catered for, and the civil servant or any other worker is to pay school fees of children, own a house, a car and still take care of dozens of relatives. This kind of system, according to the author, is what encourages corruption. The absence of a functional credit and social security system is a serious flaw of the capitalist version in Africa.
"Why Brain Drain Persists in Africa" follows as chapter two. For the same reasons as above, most African migrate to western worlds where the burden of meeting the necessities of life are made light by an organised and effective credit facilities and social security system. Drawing graphic examples of a professor and a widow who preferred to live and work in the UK because it is difficult to work and earn enough money to build a house, buy a car, and take care of health and educational needs of the family in Nigeria unless you indulge in corruption.
"But until now, it never really struck me that the real reason why Africans in the UK or other developed countries excel and shun corruption is simply because their basic needs are made available and affordable", Olie asserts.
With gripping examples, the author defines the "Dynamics of Corruption" in chapter three. "The dynamics and indicators that inform it are straight forward and uncomplicated. The things we take for granted like good roads, affordable and functional healthcare, good communication system, clean potable water, and constant electricity supply impact significantly on our individual and collective ability to resist corruption".
In a tabular form, Mr Olie presents graphically "Strategies for Reducing Corruption" in chapter four. The strategies are both immediate and long term. There is also a table showing corruption reduction strategy and efficiency enhancement among the police and the armed forces. Above all, the strategies highlight the need for maintenance culture, environmental cleanliness, road construction, constant electricity and effective communication networks among others.
Chapter five outlines methodologies for the execution of the strategies. How to evolve effective credit and social security systems is clearly outlined.
In the next chapter, the writer meditates on corruption. His meditation is succinctly captured in these words, "A man who is pre-occupied with how to meet basic needs of life cannot innovate. He merely exists. Innovation is the key to technological breakthrough, advancement, progress and development".
In this chapter an honest account of Nigeria is given by a foreigner. Paul Robinson, a United States of America Senator in 2002 saw Nigeria as a country with huge problems and huge potentials. "Turning the country around is like turning a battleship around; it can only be done slowly, but it is vital that it be done", he said.
Chapter eight of the book explores the difference in infrastructural development in Nigeria and in Britain. The contrast ranges from transport sector to education, health and power. And undoubtedly, Nigeria gets a lashing for under developed infrastructure.
Chapter nine recaps the problems of pure capitalism as practised in Africa and chapter ten derides African leaders for looting the treasury only to train their children abroad and receive medical attention abroad where leaders have sacrificed to make the countries what they are. "African policy makers prefer to send their children abroad to acquire education. They also prefer to spend their holidays and also do their shopping there. They however forget that if the men and women in those climes embezzled all the money, where would they go? Where will they stock their ill-gotten money?", he queries.
The book would be very useful for policy makers in Nigeria and Africa at large. Most specifically, it should be recommended for use at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
Title: Africa Caught in the Web of Capitalism
Author: Eric C. M. Olie
Published by: The Regent Printing & Publishing Ltd, Abuja
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