French anthropologist Stephen Smith cruelly declared that "since independence, Africa has been working at its recolonization. ...even if this was not the intention, it couldn't have done a better job. The continent is doomed to failure. No one is ready to take it on."
But the Chinese are taking it on.... China has a long-lasting vision for Africa, and its goals far exceed the limited scope of the former colonial powers. Some critics believe that China is motivated purely by a strategy based on the teachings of Sun Tzu: "To defeat your enemy, first offer him help so that he slackens his vigilance; to take, one must first give."
*****
Mauro de Lorenzo, a research analyst at the very conservative think tank, the American Enterprise Institute, was...enthusiastic about the Chinese business venture in Africa.
"We westerners are locked into a humanitarian vision. It's politically correct.... But humanitarianism is also a means of control; it maintains the power relationship.... The Chinese don't have these psychological limitations. They go to Africa to do business, profitable business. Hopefully that will be an eye-opener for us and we will follow their example. Our humanitarian aid has done its own share of damage."
More next time. Walt is still reading....
PS: This is Walt's 300th post, another milestone (?). Thanks to ed. for his help and to you, dear readers. I know you're out there. That's why I write.
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