3 ms·

"One conclusion to be drawn is that many countries were better off under colonial rule" Umm no. That depends on defining "better off" as "ruled by invaders fro

"One conclusion to be drawn is that many countries were better off under colonial rule" Umm no. That depends on defining "better off" as "ruled by invaders from another country but with some economic or social benefits(probably)". Just try offering colonial rule to former colonies, who have experience of being "better off". People might joke about that, but an independent country's citizens would fight to the death against any attempt at colonization. Which means they do think they are better off without colonial rule. Unless you think millions of people don't know what is "better off" for them, your notion is hard to sustain logically. Unless you want to volunteer to be colonized by China (say)? They seem to be good at economic development, which seems to be your metric for "better off".

eru 17y ago
Indeed. Though I sometimes think that it might be good to borrow politicians and civil servants from e.g. Sweden, Switzerland or the Netherlands.
aero142 17y ago
I agree. I would not choose to trade freedom and self governance for economic benefit. I was however pointing out that when you look at things from a purely utilitarian perspective, you often end up with strange conclusions. The other thing I find interesting is that we seem to be left with no options for solving the problems of these struggling post-colonial nations. Some certainly prospered economically after the ruling colonial powers left. Some suffered immensely. If one accepts that institutional order is a prerequisite for economic prosperity, then one might conclude that an outside power should take over and institute order, but the obvious moral problems prevents this. Not to mention the historically supported unlikelihood that the country would actually benefit. The only solution appears to be institutional order that grows organically from within the country. Outside aid doesn't seem to help much. This leaves very few options for the Haiti's and the Camaroon's of the world.

eru 17y ago

Indeed. Though I sometimes think that it might be good to borrow politicians and civil servants from e.g. Sweden, Switzerland or the Netherlands.

aero142 17y ago

I agree. I would not choose to trade freedom and self governance for economic benefit. I was however pointing out that when you look at things from a purely utilitarian perspective, you often end up with strange conclusions. The other thing I find interesting is that we seem to be left with no options for solving the problems of these struggling post-colonial nations. Some certainly prospered economically after the ruling colonial powers left. Some suffered immensely. If one accepts that institutional order is a prerequisite for economic prosperity, then one might conclude that an outside power should take over and institute order, but the obvious moral problems prevents this. Not to mention the historically supported unlikelihood that the country would actually benefit. The only solution appears to be institutional order that grows organically from within the country. Outside aid doesn't seem to help much. This leaves very few options for the Haiti's and the Camaroon's of the world.