4 ms·
In 1990 people thought the German unification would be a piece of cake. We're rich and we're sprinkle some market economy on the formerly communist part. Turns
by UweSchmidt 9y ago
In 1990 people thought the German unification would be a piece of cake. We're rich and we're sprinkle some market economy on the formerly communist part.
Turns out that even under perfect conditions developing a country that was held back just 40 years in its development is extremely difficult.
Africa was held back 1000x more, and in crucial moments in history (industrialization) at that. The situation of Japan is highly relevant as an example what can happen when you have continuity and a stable environment.
- nickik 9y agoI agree with everything you say. It just to narrow. Japan would not have not developed if not pushed. Botswana would not as rich if the Brits had never come. It just not as simple, its not linear and then colonialism comes along and is holding you back. The reality is that the institutions need to develop are complex, culture, foreign involvement, geography all play a role. Africa is poor because colonialism story just does not hold up. Its a part of the story, but by itself it explains little. Japan is not successful because they were not a colony. The are successful because they had a centralized state for a long time, that state was was able adopt new institutions. Even had the been a colony, once the imperialist leave Japan would probably have better growth is the avg. growth in Africa.