Africa Is Often Seen as an Appendage of the Western Capitalists in Terms of Development Experience: Why Is It Largely Influenced by Rich Dominant Families, Cartels, Nations and Regions?

Abstract

From a stronger view point, one of the major reasons for the lack of development in Africa is linked to the changes in Western ideological movements and forces which emerged in the early 1980’s. Some scholars such as Rodney claim that Africa has always relied upon western economic development models in order to develop. Undoubtedly, the western economic models have contributed to dependency trap on Africa’s development front (Rodney 1972, p.215). The models have given the impression that Africa’s development process is an appendage to the west. Thus, it is generally agreed that if Zambia implemented homegrown oriented economic models not the imported western ones it could have recorded positive and tangible development. The western capitalists promoted western economic theory of development on the continent of Africa which was wrong because not one size fits all development approach can work in all the countries. This is to say that the western economic theory is not the blue-print for the development of Zambia (Rodney 1972, p.216).It is also claimed that Africa should follow homegrown development policies if it is to achieve the desired development for its people. On the other hand, it can be stated that globalization has increased the dominance of market forces in the global economy resulting into uneven income distribution between the rich dominant families, cartels, nations and regions. The world has been under the influence by many rich dominant families and cartels of this society both individuals and large corporations who are usually very wealthy. In many countries, rich dominant families and cartels end up controlling considerable proportions of countries economies in way one or the other. It has emerged that they extensively control corporate assets which actually distorts capital allocation among the different groups of the society. This portrays also that political influence is the agency which controls, rather than which owns. The rich dominant families and cartels do acquire power and self-enrichment because they are advantaged in wealth creation. It cannot be deny that some societies live in the era of Empire Rule which is heavily influenced by wealthy families and cartels.