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This blanket characterization of an entire continent's people and leadership strikes me as borderline racist. Yes, there are corrupt governments in some Africa

This blanket characterization of an entire continent's people and leadership strikes me as borderline racist. Yes, there are corrupt governments in some African countries, and yes, there is a history of corruption in many of these countries. But to group all of Africa's governments together and judge them with such prejudice is hardly just.

slurry 13y ago
What are a couple of really well-run African governments? Interested to know.
Crito 13y ago
Sorry, "many African governments". The African governments effective and non-corrupt enough to provide basic 21st century amenities like internet access are, practically by definition, not the African governments that we are talking about. What need do those countries have with drone-internet if they already have widespread uncensored internet access? When we talk about drone internet for Africa, we are talking about drone internet for African countries that have at best benevolent but ineffective or resourceless governments. As far as I can tell from wikipedia, there are only three African countries where significant internet access is present: Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt. Egypt however has a recent history of internet censorship/blackout and an uncertain future for internet censorship.
- coldtea 13y ago
  >The African governments effective and non-corrupt enough to provide basic 21st century amenities like internet access are, practically by definition, not the African governments that we are talking about. What need do those countries have with drone-internet if they already have widespread uncensored internet access? You know, you can have a government that's not corruct and still don't have "basic 21st century amenities like internet access". Actually your own people might not even care about such "basic amenities". Sometimes the corruption comes from people outside pushing such amenities down your throat.
  - Crito 13y ago
    > "at best benevolent but ineffective or resourceless" Really though, what is the point of routing your humanitarian efforts through an ineffective government? Unless the resourceless government is the target of your humanitarian aid (as opposed to the people that the government claims as their own, but is unable to care for), why bring a loser on to the team? African governments are either corrupt, ineffective, resourceless, or have provided uncensored internet access to their population. If it is the later, then this sort of aid is not necessary. If it is any of the former, there is little reason to involve those governments unless absolutely necessary.

slurry 13y ago

What are a couple of really well-run African governments? Interested to know.

Crito 13y ago

Sorry, "many African governments". The African governments effective and non-corrupt enough to provide basic 21st century amenities like internet access are, practically by definition, not the African governments that we are talking about. What need do those countries have with drone-internet if they already have widespread uncensored internet access? When we talk about drone internet for Africa, we are talking about drone internet for African countries that have at best benevolent but ineffective or resourceless governments. As far as I can tell from wikipedia, there are only three African countries where significant internet access is present: Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt. Egypt however has a recent history of internet censorship/blackout and an uncertain future for internet censorship.

coldtea 13y ago
>The African governments effective and non-corrupt enough to provide basic 21st century amenities like internet access are, practically by definition, not the African governments that we are talking about. What need do those countries have with drone-internet if they already have widespread uncensored internet access? You know, you can have a government that's not corruct and still don't have "basic 21st century amenities like internet access". Actually your own people might not even care about such "basic amenities". Sometimes the corruption comes from people outside pushing such amenities down your throat.
- Crito 13y ago
  > "at best benevolent but ineffective or resourceless" Really though, what is the point of routing your humanitarian efforts through an ineffective government? Unless the resourceless government is the target of your humanitarian aid (as opposed to the people that the government claims as their own, but is unable to care for), why bring a loser on to the team? African governments are either corrupt, ineffective, resourceless, or have provided uncensored internet access to their population. If it is the later, then this sort of aid is not necessary. If it is any of the former, there is little reason to involve those governments unless absolutely necessary.