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francois60 · 02-08-2007, 02:09 PM

I think the exchange probably hurts Africa a bit more than it helps.

I disagree there. I've always felt that the cries of economic imperialism from Third World countries and the left have simply been bitching that they aren't getting enough money out of the deal. Most Third World countries simply do not have the expertise to exploit their own resources. So they need outside help. Sure, they get bad terms, but then so would you if you found out you had oil or uranium in your backyard. That wealth in the ground is worth zilch if you can't get it out of the ground. So naturally, you aren't in much of a position to bargain with those who can get it out. And who will do all the investing and take all of the risk while you get free money because you were lucky enough to have valuable stuff in your backyard.

I think that in terms of raw economics, what China is doing in Africa is a great thing for both countries. I'm all in favor of it. THe part I don't like is where China teaches African nations how to get rich while still maintaining oppressive political systems.

The US normally demands any trade agreement or development loan be met with adherence to US policy on governmental ideology, installation of US military facilities with complete disregard for local culture and ideology. Kind of an our way, one size fits all or the road offering as in the colonial days.

Part of that is domestic politics, and part of that is that we don't want to give money and have it go down the drain. We don't give money domestically without strings, we sure aren't going to give it to foreign governments without strings. If they don't want the strings, they don't have to take the money.

I don't agree with that. I believe we have free trade agreements with most countries. Let's use Brazil, India and South Africa as examples. So, if we have free trade agreements with them, where are these US-military facilities in those countries? Where have they signed onto our "governmental ideology" as you've claimed?

Actually, we have free trade with none of those as of yet. Both we and they still impose tarriffs and quotas on each others' goods.

02-08-2007, 02:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
francois60 Earl Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,559	I think the exchange probably hurts Africa a bit more than it helps. I disagree there. I've always felt that the cries of economic imperialism from Third World countries and the left have simply been bitching that they aren't getting enough money out of the deal. Most Third World countries simply do not have the expertise to exploit their own resources. So they need outside help. Sure, they get bad terms, but then so would you if you found out you had oil or uranium in your backyard. That wealth in the ground is worth zilch if you can't get it out of the ground. So naturally, you aren't in much of a position to bargain with those who can get it out. And who will do all the investing and take all of the risk while you get free money because you were lucky enough to have valuable stuff in your backyard. I think that in terms of raw economics, what China is doing in Africa is a great thing for both countries. I'm all in favor of it. THe part I don't like is where China teaches African nations how to get rich while still maintaining oppressive political systems. The US normally demands any trade agreement or development loan be met with adherence to US policy on governmental ideology, installation of US military facilities with complete disregard for local culture and ideology. Kind of an our way, one size fits all or the road offering as in the colonial days. Part of that is domestic politics, and part of that is that we don't want to give money and have it go down the drain. We don't give money domestically without strings, we sure aren't going to give it to foreign governments without strings. If they don't want the strings, they don't have to take the money. I don't agree with that. I believe we have free trade agreements with most countries. Let's use Brazil, India and South Africa as examples. So, if we have free trade agreements with them, where are these US-military facilities in those countries? Where have they signed onto our "governmental ideology" as you've claimed? Actually, we have free trade with none of those as of yet. Both we and they still impose tarriffs and quotas on each others' goods. __________________ chicken butt