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At Large
African Mysteries
So why do they make no impression on the Chinese?
It’s a long story that began shortly after World War II. As Africa began to end its colonial ties, the Eisenhower Administration along with some of the former colonial powers sought to address the needs of the newly independent states. A rivalry of aid givers soon developed. The Cold War spurred the competition for generosity and soon Africa became the fashionable target of foreign assistance that would set the tone for the later decades.
Along with this economic and political attention came articles and books that repeatedly emphasized the “mystery” of the continent and the expected rewards that would come from its “vast untapped resources.” This had been the story line ever since Henry Morton Stanley was sent in 1871 by the New York Herald to “rescue” the missionary David Livingstone, who was far from needing rescue at that time. Joseph Conrad, thirty years later, drew from the mystique of the continent in writing Heart of Darkness.
That Conradian image of unfathomable opaqueness, along with all the other commentary later on, carried the theme of an impoverished population exploited by waves of individuals, corporations and governments. The problem is that as long as Africans, themselves, are included among those exploiters, it’s quite true.
It is amazing that even today the same characterizations of “mystery” and “untapped resources” are sounded to encourage American, European and Asian interest and investment in Africa. In most instances the reference is to the verdant tropical areas best known to Hollywood moviegoers. The drought-stricken Sahel on the borders of the Sahara often attracts far less interest even as its population drifts southward in search of water and new living space.
The so-called “mystery” of Africa is often referred to in explanation of why the Western world for so many years has found it difficult to comprehend the socio-economic structure that dictates life in this giant continent. It is interesting to note that in the early 1960s when the Chinese began to take an interest in the mineral wealth of Africa, they did not focus on the existing political organization of the countries in which they were interested. They did not try to change the post-colonial administrations. They did little or nothing to introduce their Maoist brand of communism. They centered their efforts strictly on the economic interests at hand.
To the Chinese of the sixties and seventies Africa was not “mysterious,” and it isn’t today. For Beijing each African nation is judged by the availability of economic projects to develop and exploit. The Chinese do not think in terms of “vast untapped resources.” They think and plan in development terms relative to the PRC’s own needs and how a given country’s capabilities and capacity can be exploited for profit. Altruism isn’t even paid lip service.
In the meantime African students and political leaders travel to China to learn whatever Beijing wishes to teach them. The Western countries and their aid programs complain that the Chinese do not wish to educate Africans, but rather to indoctrinate them. Many years ago confronted with this charge a veteran Kenyan politician said, “What’s wrong with that? The African goes there, takes what he likes, and comes home having gained all around.” That politician was Oginga Odinga, his country’s first vice-president, and a chief of the Luo tribe.
There is a primal instinct in Africa borne of centuries of survival from invaders, internal and external. There is nothing mysterious about it, but to the European-cultured perception, the African social contract is considered as at a “lesser” level. This belief in greater European sophistication makes it difficult at best to comprehend the African thought process.
A practical example is perhaps the best way to show the chasm of understanding: There remains a traditional social security system extant throughout Africa. Africans tend to maintain a continuing relationship with their extended family and through them their home village. Sometimes this home village has been subsumed in a broader urban complex, but it still exists. The tin-sided shacks of tribal “townships” constructed outside of sub-Saharan African urban areas attest to this. It is to this “home” that every African is able to retreat when under personal, political or economic stress. The African does not think his social security system is less supportive than the Western government-aided system. In fact, for the most part, the African deems himself the better protected. And to the European this is a mystery.
It is not that the Chinese better understand how to work with Africans, but rather that they do not carry along with their commercial desires any commitment to socio-economic improvement. Concerts are not held in Shanghai to aid the starving people of Darfur. Guilt does not exist in the Chinese mindset over past colonial exploitation and the ravages of slavery. In turn Africa does not expect special advantages from their oriental cousin. (As the Chinese have characterized themselves.) In reality immigrants and traders from South Asia have lived and worked side-by-side with Africans for hundreds of years.
Africa’s resources will be developed as long as it is commercially viable to do so. It certainly is not unknown that there remains potential for further extractive industries and even manufacturing in some cases. But it all remains to be judged as to profitability. There’s nothing any more mysterious about Africa than there is about South America, Southeast Asia, or any other less developed region of the world. Africa’s economic development potential remains competitive with virtually any other area of the world. How to bring that potential to fruition is not a mystery — it’s just very hard to do!
About the Author
George H. Wittman writes a weekly column on international affairs for The American Spectator online. He was the founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (36) | Leave a comment
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Jack in Wi| 6.1.12 @ 6:28AM
This is an excellent essay. Mr. Wittman is to be commended for his scholarship. Perhaps we should learn from the Chinese. Let these country's figure it out for themselves and just do deals that make money and common sense. People all over the world, are sick of Uncle Sammy Nanny telling them what to do and throwing money around to prop up plutocrats, dictators, and crooks.
Alej| 6.1.12 @ 8:52AM
Agreed... stop forcing those people to learn about modern medicines and birth control. Just ease on in like the Chinese, sans "commitment to socio-economic improvement," and within a couple of generations. AIDS, cholera, and a host of other plagues will totally depopulate Africa.
Millions of square miles of cheap, fascinating real estate for the taking, and all you have to do is shovel a few piles of bones off to the side !
Jack in Wi| 6.1.12 @ 9:11AM
I see nothing wrong with missionary activities if, they are voluntary. Most of the education and healthcare systems in 3rd world countries were set up by Christian missionaries. Now these countries are sending back missionaries to the Neopagan heathens in the USA and Europe. I saw aa big group of evangelical people in Trafalger Square, in London, that was mostly 3rd world people. I know of African priests who have come to America to work in the Catholic and Episcopal Churches. I also have heard of other Protestant sects having some ministers as well.
Brooksifier | 6.1.12 @ 6:21PM
"Guilt does not exist in the Chinese mindset over past colonial exploitation and the ravages of slavery"
Because the Chinese are not the ones who cheated Africans-- we were. When colonalism took off in the late 19th century, the Chinese were growing pony tales, traveling on rickshaws and smoking opium.
Brooksifier | 6.1.12 @ 6:22PM
.. pony TAILS, that is--
mustn't use bad grammar at AS!
Von Mises Jr| 6.1.12 @ 10:17PM
Did you forget how to spell Brooksie?
Alej| 6.2.12 @ 8:38AM
If anybody "cheated Africans," God did. All humanity sprang from the African continent, so the residual occupants had the most time to develop technology and civilization, while nascent Caucasoids and Mongoloids were busy for a few hundred thousand years traveling and subsistence-surviving.
Apparently, the wheat departed for far horizons, while the chaff settled in place.
Truth to Power| 6.3.12 @ 1:13PM
Worse than European colonialism was European leftist thought. Sorry Africa. That is what I call a President O type of apology. When you think of it Africa should apologize for sending President O's worthless father over here and causing all kind of money flowing toward his money bundlers. Well lets call it even and both take care of our problems. It is again sad that another culture corrupted by European leftist thought should show up and cheat them. It is what is at the bottom of leftist thought. They are going to have to take charge of their own lives and purge themselves of this this disgusting European pathology. As they can see by observing Europe, it can be fatal.
Brooksifier | 6.2.12 @ 5:37PM
"If anybody "cheated Africans," God did. All humanity sprang from the African continent, so the residual occupants had the most time to develop technology and civilization, while nascent Caucasoids and Mongoloids were busy for a few hundred thousand years traveling and subsistence-surviving. Apparently, the wheat departed for far horizons, while the chaff settled in place."
Paste this as Stormfront.
Brooksifier | 6.2.12 @ 5:39PM
...oh, and keep your sheets clean so you can wear 'em
at the next KKK cotillion.
Gary B| 6.1.12 @ 9:23AM
Bill and Melinda Gates could learn a lot from this article. It pains me to see all that money going down yet another African rat hole. But, that's how you get invited to Georgetown cocktail parties.
TLP| 6.1.12 @ 4:22PM
Now, replace AFRICA, with any American City that has been run by Blacks, for the last 30 Years, or the United States, after just shy of 4 Years of the 1st African American President, and tell me how anything in this story changes.
I'll wait.
Gary B| 6.1.12 @ 5:16PM
I would broaden your specification to any entity run by Democrats for even less than 30 years. California, Illinois and New York come to mind, as do any number of Democratic-run cities. As you say, they're the American version of cesspools of hopelessness.
TLP| 6.2.12 @ 8:21AM
I understand where you're coming from, but we are talking about AFRICA, here,
AND, if we look inside of our own situation, I am certain that you would agree that, although all of the Bizzarro Cities of the Walking Dead and Face Eating (As opposed to - Face Painting) are indeed, run by Democrats, the ones run by the descendents of Kunta Kinte, are the ones who are actually BULLDOZING their Neighborhoods, lest the denizens of these New New Yorks, require the aid of a Snake Pliscan.
Hello?
Bob S| 6.2.12 @ 2:33AM
At least African communities can look after themselves. If you get injured or too old to work, just go back home. Here, from birth to death (which often happens early for blacks) they depend on the government.
Skippy| 6.2.12 @ 2:12PM
It was not always like that here.
"Granny dumping" is a practice I first heard of in the 1990's.
It's practitioners should be horsewhipped.
RCV| 6.3.12 @ 2:13PM
Hey, TLP wants everyone to stay focused on his racist ideology. Don't try to change the subject.
Von Mises Jr| 6.1.12 @ 8:21AM
Wait a minute. I thought Obama said America stole and was stealing the world’s resources. You mean the Chicoms are the culprit?
Thomas Sowell in his "Conquest and Cultures" and "The Economics and Politics of Race," as well as "Race and Culture" explains in part how imperialism of the British Empire, Spain, France and the Dutch, for instance, had exploited Africa and Asia. Much of the problems in Africa today with tribal warfare and ethnic cleansing are due to the arbitrary borders established as they departed and dissected tribes between nations and placed conflicting groups in the same nation.
The Chicoms, like the Imperialist before them, are interested in enslaving the populations and exploiting their wealth.
America is the first country perhaps in world history that has looked at other nations with benevolence. We lose blood and treasure to help establish Democracy in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan who reject it even after we sacrifice our fine soldiers.
So next time Barry tells you America sucks, tell him to kiss your arse. We will deal with him in November.
Brooksifier | 6.2.12 @ 5:43PM
Von Mises, you Kraut.
Von Mises Jr| 6.3.12 @ 6:30AM
Brooksie, Where are your Papers?
You should watch Agenda21 YouTube "for dummies." It is about how your statist and socialist at the UN want to enslave you. And since it was produced "for dummies," you may only have to watch it half-dozen times.
Louis Jenkins| 6.1.12 @ 8:27AM
Tribes. While the Europeans and its Western allies sought to divide up the continent in to managible states they failed to note that tribes do not go by a border. A border between two states may very well run smack through a tribe's territory. The Chinese really don't care. Just give us the precious metals, or whatever. They refuse to get involved in the wellfare of workers. A far better approach, less costly, and more efficient.
Alej| 6.1.12 @ 8:46AM
"It is not that the Chinese better understand how to work with Africans, but rather that they do not carry along with their commercial desires any commitment to socio-economic improvement."
In other words, the Chinese understand the concept of not casting "...their pearls before swine, lest they turn and devour them."
Anthony| 6.1.12 @ 10:00AM
The Kenyan Muslim Marxist and his leftist allies have bemoaned for years how Americans raped and pillaged the world's resources for our own selfish gain.
Yet here we are in real time, and China is the very embodiment of a cold-blooded, ruthless nation, seeking to exploit others for its own benefit.
Once again, the lunacy of leftism on parade.
CJW| 6.1.12 @ 10:25AM
Obama could help his Kenyan half-brother, and other Kenyan relatives, who live in poverty, by sending them some of his personal wealth, instead of buying golf clubs and vacationing at Martha's Vineyard, Hawaii, and Spain.
What kind of man does not help his blood brother living in poverty?
"W"
TLP| 6.1.12 @ 4:34PM
If it's true, that we are Raping the World's Resources?
Doesn't that spell it out IN SPADES, that we should be exploiting OUR OWN RESOURCES?
Of course it does.
He has to go.
Be it in an Election, or on the top of a Caisson.
It don't make no never mind to me.
Occam's Tool| 6.1.12 @ 10:37AM
There is nothing mysterious about Africa---it is a backward, third world craphole. The West is Best. We need to keep our defenses up and protect ourselves from scum.
What totalitarian belief system is the fastest growing religion in Africa? Why, nothing less than the Baby raping religion that Ron "I vote to murder little Black Girl Babies" Paul supports.
Jack in Wi| 6.1.12 @ 11:18AM
Your Racism is showing through again Occam. You should head to Tel Aviv so you can get in on the action beating up poor African refugees and burning their property. You are one one the group of Israeli supporters who think that you are God's gift to the world. Actually You Kach members are a sight to behold. Israel is the world's largest and greedist welfare queen. Isn't time it supported and paid for itself and it's own defenses?
Quartermaster| 6.1.12 @ 8:10PM
Mr. Tool, you are truly in the grips of PDS. Your obsession does you no credit, particularly with the credentials you claim to have.
Mr. Tool, you are a tool of things you claim to detest.
THKrupp| 6.1.12 @ 11:48AM
This was a very good article on Africa. I think the best way to describe the difference between the Western and Chinese approach to Africa. The West went in, colonized it and tried to change it to be more like the West. The Chinese just go in and purchase what they want without trying to change Africa.
Quartermaster| 6.1.12 @ 8:13PM
The west went in to rule and Africa was richly blessed by it. The Chinese will merely exploit them and give little to nothing in return.
As Africa as departed from their colonial benefits, they have descended into corruption and poverty. The Chinese will exploit that fact to the utter ruin of Africa. Then, they will be left nothing with which to recover.
THKrupp| 6.2.12 @ 4:05PM
I dont consider it exploitation when you buy something from someone at an agreed upon price. A lot of the problems that they have now are part of the blessings left behind by western colonial powers. Sure colonialism wasnt all bad and did help Africa jump forward in development. The issue comes in the way that that it was done. The Chinese arent subjugating the existing population. Im not saying they are perfect either, but they are just buying. It is for the Africans to decide what they will sell for and in return how to use the proceeds from those sales. They have the opportunity to invest wisely or squander them. Do you consider it exploitation when you buy something from a store? Perhaps the best thing for Africans is that they learn to stand on their own two feet without a colonial power to force or guide them. The Chinese are giving them this opportunity.
Bob K| 6.3.12 @ 2:06AM
Almost 11 months ago, to the day, Matthew Omolesky wrote an article on "humanitarian" intervention in Libya entitled "Firing Into A Continent." A quote from Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness." "In the empty immensity of earth, sky and water, there she was, incomprehensible, firing into a continent."
Our great writers and poets have an understanding of the world that our economists and political analysts and theorists and politicians will never have.
http://spectator.org/archives/.....-continent
That picture still remains in the minds eye of the West and it's idea makers: A continent; incomprehensible, but there for exploitations; whether they be political or economic. Fire away!
And like the shelling from those six inch guns their ideas are shrugged off like the malarial bites the Africans get from the mosquitos which own the continent with them.
China will do no more to Africa or get no more from Africa than the West did.
gazinya | 6.3.12 @ 9:16AM
There is a website, allafrica.com. It is put together by African journalists and is not written for CNN. It can give the reader a glimpse of what is going on in Africa and may change a few minds as to the problems that exist in that huge continent.
maillot de bain pas cher | 6.5.12 @ 5:25AM
Along with this economic and political attention came articles and books that repeatedly emphasized the "mystery" of the continent and the expected rewards that would come from its "vast untapped resources." This had been the story line ever since Henry Morton Stanley was sent in 1871 by the New York Herald to "rescue" the missionary David Livingstone, who was far from needing rescue at that time. Joseph Conrad, thirty years later, drew from the mystique of the continent in writing Heart of Darkness.
Theo Prinse| 6.11.12 @ 3:40PM
Thanks mr. Wittman. Black Africans had rich developed cultures like the Akan. "From the 15th century to the 19th century the Akan people dominated gold mining and trading in the region and, from the 17th century on, they were among the most powerful groups in west Africa. They fought against European colonists to maintain autonomy"
European man carried through the Roman the Greek culture. The Jews from Portugal and the Hugenot’s from France influenced the shape of politics and the latter even created a highly developed Southern Africa. The Washington liberal political elites forced the white community in South Africa to surrender to the communists of the ANC and the SACP in exchange for the fall of the Soviet Union and to keep the black community in the US under control.