In the realm of Nigeria’s power sector, where challenges have long cast shadows over promises of progress, a recent retreat organized by the Ministry of Power has brought forth a glimmer of hope. Attended by key stakeholders across the electricity industry value chain, the retreat served as a crucible for discussions, revelations, and perhaps, a strategic reset. As Robert Gilpin aptly put it, “A market is not politically neutral; its existence creates economic power which one actor can use against another.” These words resonate profoundly in a sector where economic power dynamics have often been wielded as political tools.
The Honourable Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, unveiled significant insights during the retreat, revealing the Federal government’s commitment to subsidizing power by a staggering 600 billion naira in 2023. While such a substantial financial injection is essential to bridge the existing gaps, it raises questions about the sustainability of such subsidies and the need for a more holistic approach to address systemic issues.
Equally noteworthy was the announcement regarding the division of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) into two independent entities – the Transmission Service Provider (TSP) and the Independent Service Operation (ISO). This move begs the question: What impacts will this restructuring bring, and how will it contribute to the overall efficiency of the power sector?
In the spirit of market dynamics, it is high time for the Ministry of Power to pivot its focus toward policy formulation and coordination, allowing its agencies—NERC, TCN, REA, NAPTIN, FGN POWER, NDPHC, NEMSA, NELMCO, etc.—to take the reins of implementation. NERC, in particular, must be allowed to discharge its statutory obligations without undue political interference, fostering an environment where regulatory measures can be impartially applied to drive market growth.
A critical examination of the relevance of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) is imperative. Is NBET still a linchpin in the evolving market, or does it need to redefine its role to align with the sector’s changing landscape? The post-retreat phase demands a meticulous review and realignment of these agencies to confront the challenges and disruptions anticipated with the passage of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2023.
As some states, including Ekiti and Lagos, position themselves to participate actively in the electricity market, questions arise regarding their capacity and efficiency. The federal ministry of power and its agencies must play a guiding role, providing necessary support, expertise, and oversight. However, this presupposes that the ministry’s staff possess the requisite capacity and capabilities. The retreat underscored the urgency of addressing this capacity gap to ensure seamless collaboration between states and the federal government.
Against this backdrop, the performance contract signed by Minister Adelabu with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu holds promise. Cascading well-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and targets to the agencies under the Ministry of Power is crucial for meeting set objectives within the stipulated timeframes.
This process will not only enhance accountability but also foster a culture of excellence and efficiency in the sector.
Furthermore, inter-ministerial and inter-agency collaborations are paramount for the sector’s success. Collaborations with the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Water Resources, and Ministry of Petroleum Resources are particularly vital, as they can provide the necessary synergies to address environmental concerns, water resource management, and fuel supply challenges that impact the electricity sector. Recognizing the interconnectedness of these sectors will be instrumental in developing holistic solutions.
In conclusion, the recent power sector retreat has set the stage for a transformative journey. It is a call for the Ministry of Power to reevaluate its role, relinquishing direct control over implementation to its specialized agencies. The market is a powerful force that can drive change, but only if harnessed effectively. As Nigeria navigates its power sector challenges, the government must heed the call of Robert Gilpin and recognize that a politically neutral market is not only possible but essential for sustainable economic growth. The post-retreat phase offers a unique opportunity to usher in a new era of collaboration, efficiency, and accountability—a dawn of power for all.
Thealvinreport secure exclusive photos of Fifa Executive Council Member AMAJU M. Pinnick at the CAF awards and other international engagements
On a seemingly tranquil Sunday night in Tudun Biri village, located in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, tragedy unfolded as the celebratory atmosphere of Maulud turned into a nightmare. The once joyous occasion turned sombre when a Nigerian Army drone air strike rained down on the villagers, leaving a trail of devastation. The incident, reminiscent of the unfortunate events in Rann, Borno State, highlights the pressing need for accountability and transparency in the deployment of military assets, particularly in the fight against terrorism.
Jaafar Jaafar, a reputable source, has raised alarming concerns about the Nigerian military’s lack of full control over the deployment of its advanced air assets, such as the Super Tucanos. According to him, the United States exerts significant influence over the use of these aircraft in Nigeria. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the tragic events in Tudun Biri, as it implies that decisions made beyond Nigeria’s borders can have dire consequences for innocent civilians.
Jaafar Jaafar’s claim gains credibility when considering a report published by The Intercept in July of the previous year. The report exposed the role of the United States, particularly through AFRICOM, in the January 17, 2017 air raid that claimed the lives of 160 civilians at an IDP camp in Rann, Borno State. It detailed how U.S. surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations, including the use of Predator drones and other advanced aircraft, have been employed in Nigeria since 2014.
The report further highlighted that days after the Rann incident, the U.S./Africa Command commissioned a senior army officer to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the kinetic air strike. This raises crucial questions about accountability and the lack of transparency in such incidents, leaving Nigerians with a sense of unease about the true nature of the military operations conducted with foreign collaboration.
The parallels between Tudun Biri and Rann raise unsettling questions. Is Tudun Biri another tragic case akin to the events in Rann? Has anyone been held accountable for the civilian casualties in Rann? These questions demand answers not only for the grieving families in Tudun Biri but also for the Nigerian public as a whole. The loss of lives, particularly when celebrating a religious occasion, calls for a thorough investigation and the identification of those responsible.
Reports from Tudun Biri suggest that some families lost between 5, 10, or even 15 members, with some families almost entirely wiped out. The sheer magnitude of the tragedy underscores the urgency of a comprehensive investigation and accountability measures. It is insufficient for the government or military to dismiss these incidents as mere mistakes. The affected citizens, mourning the loss of their loved ones, deserve not only to know the truth but also to witness those responsible being held accountable.
The tragic events in Rann serve as a haunting precedent for Tudun Biri. The lack of transparency and accountability in the aftermath of the Rann air raid has left a scar on the collective consciousness of Nigerians. If history repeats itself in Tudun Biri, it would only deepen the mistrust between the government and its citizens, eroding the fragile bonds that hold society together.
In the face of such tragedies, it is imperative for the Nigerian government to prioritize transparency and accountability. The families affected by the Tudun Biri incident, and indeed all Nigerians, deserve an open and honest investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drone air strike. The government should not only release the findings to the public but also take decisive action against those responsible for any lapses or wrongdoing.
Additionally, the influence of foreign entities, as highlighted by Jaafar Jaafar and The Intercept’s report, raises concerns about the sovereignty of Nigeria in its military operations. The government must reevaluate and clarify the terms of collaboration with international partners to ensure that decisions impacting Nigerian lives are made with the utmost consideration for the well-being of its citizens.
Conclusively, the tragic incident in Tudun Biri serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the fight against terrorism and the imperative for transparency in military operations. As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, there is an urgent need for a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drone air strike. The government must not only provide answers to the grieving families but also take concrete steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Only through transparency, accountability, and a commitment to protecting civilian lives can the scars of Tudun Biri and Rann begin to heal, restoring the trust between the government and its people
The world bid farewell to one of its most influential statesmen last week as Henry Kissinger, the mastermind behind some of the most pivotal diplomatic initiatives of the 20th century, passed away at the remarkable age of 100. His life, spanning a century, witnessed and actively shaped the course of global affairs. From his early years as an immigrant fleeing Nazi persecution to becoming a trusted advisor to American presidents and an unparalleled diplomatic strategist, Kissinger’s legacy is etched into the annals of history. This tribute explores the life, education, and enduring influence of a man whose intellect and foresight left an indelible mark on international relations.
Henry Alfred Kissinger was born on May 27, 1923, in Fürth, Germany. His family, Jewish refugees, fled the rise of the Nazi regime, settling in the United States in 1938. This experience of upheaval and migration undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping Kissinger’s worldview and understanding of the complexities of international relations.
Kissinger’s academic journey was a testament to his intellectual prowess. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1950, where he later pursued a master’s and a doctorate in political science. His doctoral dissertation, later published as a book titled “A World Restored,” examined the Congress of Vienna and the balance of power in Europe, showcasing an early fascination with diplomatic history and strategy.
Kissinger’s ascent into the policy circles of Washington, D.C., was rapid. He joined the faculty at Harvard, where he distinguished himself as a scholar of international relations. His expertise attracted the attention of political leaders, and in 1968, he was appointed National Security Advisor to President Richard Nixon. This marked the beginning of a long and influential career in American foreign policy.
As National Security Advisor and later as Secretary of State, Kissinger played a central role in crafting U.S. foreign policy during a critical period of the Cold War. His realpolitik approach sought to balance power and maintain stability in an increasingly complex global environment. Kissinger’s pragmatism and skillful diplomacy were evident in the historic opening of relations with China in 1972, a move that reshaped the geopolitical landscape and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.
Kissinger’s impact extended beyond the confines of the White House. His writings have become seminal works in the study of international relations, offering insights into the complexities of statecraft. One of his most notable books, “On China,” delves into the historical and cultural dimensions of Sino-American relations. Published in 2011, the book explores the evolution of China’s role on the world stage, providing valuable perspectives for policymakers and scholars alike.
“The Age of A.I. and Our Human Future” reflects Kissinger’s engagement with contemporary challenges. As artificial intelligence reshapes societies and economies, Kissinger grapples with the ethical and geopolitical implications, urging a thoughtful and strategic approach to navigate the complexities of the digital age.
“Diplomacy” and “World Order” are quintessential Kissinger works that delve into the principles and practices of international relations. In “Diplomacy,” he examines the art of negotiation and statecraft throughout history, drawing on his vast knowledge of diplomatic history. “World Order,” published in 2014, explores the dynamics of power and the quest for stability in a rapidly changing world, offering a strategic vision for the future.
“A World Restored” encapsulates Kissinger’s early scholarship, providing a historical foundation for his later diplomatic endeavours. The book’s exploration of the Congress of Vienna underscores his belief in the importance of understanding history as a guide to navigating contemporary challenges.
“Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy” stands as a testament to Kissinger’s lifelong interest in the qualities and strategies that define effective leadership. Drawing on historical examples, he distills lessons for statesmen and leaders navigating the complexities of global politics.
In conclusion, Henry Kissinger’s legacy is not confined to the pages of history but lives on in the institutions and ideas he shaped. As a strategist, scholar, and statesman, he navigated the complexities of an ever-changing world with intellect, pragmatism, and a commitment to global stability. From the corridors of power to the halls of academia, Kissinger’s influence endures, reminding us of the intricate dance of diplomacy and the enduring importance of strategic thinking in international relations. As the world reflects on the passing of this diplomatic giant, it is impossible to ignore the indelible mark he left on the pursuit of peace and the understanding of global affairs.
…as Becoming TV Series Holds Grand Finale Business Showcase
Becoming Tv Series, On Thursday 30th November 2023 held the grand finale of the business pitch contest in a TV-styled showcase . The interactive event featured a mentor box panel discussion, reflections and stories from a section of entrepreneurs alongside a walk-in pitch deck session.
Mr William Anwana, the CEO of HAJEM Consults disclosed that entries into the various competitions were received from over 530 entrepreneurs across Nigeria and that the competition was intense.
Lady Mae Edmonds, the convener of Uyo Fashion Week and CEO of the popular Mae Edmonds fashion brand, serving as a Special Guest shared business success secrets and principles with the entrepreneurs. She harped on the power of the mind in achieving success, according to her, “You must be conscious of the power of your mind and the control you have over it. You can be whatever you want to be as long as you can capture it and towards it passionately. The ultimate power rests with you”.
Earlier in her remarks , the Managing Partner Mrs MefLyN AnwanA dotted on the trends, market and changing landscape of the business ecosystem and congratulated the winners for their hard work, innovation, and determination which according to her, has paid off.
“Throughout the Business Show, you have showcased your skills, knowledge, and expertise in various aspects of business. Your abilities to analyze markets, develop strategies, and execute plans has impressed not only the judges but also the entire audience. Your success is a testament to your dedication and passion for what you do”.
“As high points winners, you have exemplified excellence in all facets of business, including financial management, marketing, operations, and leadership. Your ability to create a cohesive business concept and bring it to fruition has set you apart from the competition”.
“We are confident that your success will continue beyond the Business Show Grand Finale. Your talent and drive will undoubtedly propel you to new heights in the business world. We encourage you to keep challenging yourselves, pursuing innovation, and refining your skills. The sky is the limit for you, and we cannot wait to see what you will achieve next”.
Also speaking, the CEO, Studio 24, Ifeanyi Oputa noted that the ‘Becoming Series’ would accelerate opportunities for indigenous talent. On her part, the CEO of Gems Africa Ini Edo, described the completion as mindshifting, revelatory and impactful.
CEO of the SME Mall, Muyiwa Femi-Pearse who welcomed the initiative, described the show as one that must be encouraged,
while the CEO of Premium Africa Holdings, Farouk Khaliman was optimistic that such competition would bring about the emergence of empowered African business operators. “I anticipate the emergence of empowered African business operators”
The Becoming Series is a platform for Policy Dialogue on Good Governance, Leadership and Social Impact Engineering, promoting Entrepreneurship and Marketing Innovation.
The Season began in July 2023 and ran till 13th November 2023. It featured competitions aimed at creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to get trained in Leadership, Enterprise Development, Management, Branding and Marketing, Financial Literacy, Growth Hacking and Strategy and to win cash prizes. Over 530 entrepreneurs had a broad range of opportunities to access to further scale their businesses via funding, grants, business linkages, networking, partnerships and collaboration.
The series was backed by partners including HaJem Consults, Studio 24, The SME Mall, Boundless Pay, Business Women Hub Lagos, Thinkmint Nigeria, Hood Talent, Octo5, Padimi, Gems Africa, Everyday Foods, Start Innovation Hub, Laura Bentley, Gale Multimedia, Trade Lenda and Global Wealth Forum.
In his remark at the event, Babatunde Fikayo, the Chief Operating Officer at The SME Mall stated that this is the right time for African entrepreneurs to take the bull by the horns and create lasting and impactful opportunities and wealth that will shape the future of the African continent.
Dr Magnus Chukwuekezie the Chairman at Everyday Foods Group praised the initiators of the entrepreneurial series and threw his backing behind the project. Similarly, Imelda OlaOye, Managing Partner of Thinkmint Nigeria and Shoe Place CEO Mrs Josephine Bassey lauded the project as timely and called on young entrepreneurs especially female entrepreneurs to take advantage of the unique opportunities that the Becoming Series offers.
The importance of tech literacy and building a community was stressed by Hanson Johnson; Team Lead, Start Innovation Hub and the various winners corroborated this fact by sharing their experiences and the actions they undertook to win the prizes.
High point of the event was the presentation of cash prizes to the winners of the competitions including, Mrs Glory Ekanem, winner Grand Challenge, David Ekanem – 1st Prize Winner Meflyn Anwana Entrepreneur Story Prize, Itohowo Inyang – 2nd Prize Winner and Nsisong Akpan – 3rd Prize Winner.
The Becoming Series Season 2 will return in the first quarter of 2024and already anticipation is building up for the business showcase and TV project for African Entrepreneurs is positioned to boost the entrepreneurial and business ecosystem of the African continent.
I have been asked to contribute to a book being written by some British author on this personality. Much as I would have loved to write my own book, I may being forced to contribute to a work which according to them will distill this creative force and represent him to a public that feels they already know so much about him.
So I woke up this morning at 4am to study the questionnaire. The questions were heavy, well thought out and meticulous.
I immediately felt lazy about engaging it but because it was long past deadline and Area Fada himself had appealed to me during my last visit that ‘Edgar na only you remain’ so I engaged.
I tackled the first question with the laziness of fatigue. Still drolling from a heavy emotional baggage I had been battling with since Friday, I struggled.
By the second question, the spirituality of his personality hit me. I floated and flew above my lethargy and started spewing verses that clinically situated the brand in our national counsciousness
What were his challenges was one question that I loved.. I tore into it with sabre shapoened teeth. His challenge has always been his confidence in pushing for acceptability.
An iconic brand which was standing alone in its eccentric allure and an arrogance belying the snubbery of society that in its ultra confidence refused to admit.
His confidence in pushing the brand is the fuel that has pushed it from its nascent infancy in the 80s thru the heady PMAN days and the 50 cent fight to its twilight of age leading it to not really recognise its birthing of a world recognized alte culture embedded in Nigerian youthdom.
The Charly Boy /Area Fada essence has achieved the longevity that better accepted mainstream brands have not. To test this is to walk on any street in Nigeria with the bald headed maestro and watch people fall on their knees in abject submission to a king.
I won’t give out so much, so you look forward to the book but let me just say this – Area Fada is a visionary construct that perfectly sat in a cave in the 80s and not only saw the future but also deliberately built a vehicle that took him there while we pushed our noses up in ignorant snobbery.
So when next you see a young Nigerian tech geek, a young Nigerian creative, a young Nigerian entrepreneur in his full uniform of dreads, earings, piercings, tattoos and funny clothing but creating jobs and wealth either in entertainment, technology, sports or business you know who their fore father was.
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu
Bureaucratic hopefuls sweating it out with the Imperial Exams of ancient China
By Abdul Mohammed
I was at an AI (Artificial Intelligence) tech meet not too long ago, where the co-founders of a start-up, two decent chaps were making a presentation. Theirs was a product targeted at university students, and at some point in their presentation, they made it known that they were at the beta-testing stage and that they were dealing directly with the students one on one and bypassing the school authorities all together. They were asked why, to which one of them answered that he hated dealing with bureaucracy. A deafening silence hung in the air. At this point I smiled a wistful smile, because just a couple of days before that meet, I was reminded in the most visceral way, why we all hate bureaucracies, irrespective of whether we are trying to renew a driver’s license, passport, get a voter’s card or like in their case, land a contract. I had been involved in a shouting match with an employee of a federal parastatal that was so loud and fierce that two of her colleagues had to come from their own office to calm me down, ask me what they could do to help. One even offered to get me water to cool down. The two of them eventually sorted me out, though it took a few days but the lady was the physical manifestation of everybody’s worst bureaucratic nightmare: the bureaucrat that is only concerned with whether he/she had followed the rules, irrespective of whether your problem was solved or not. It was this memory I recalled, as the co-founder expressed his distaste for bureaucracies. Despite that, I still voiced out what clearly what other people were thinking and that it was that, it was inevitable that he would have to deal with them.
I feel the need to explain why I was especially irate. I had been to no less than five of the offices in Lagos of this federal parastatal (six, if you count one office at the state level from which I needed something to meet the requirements) before I found the one responsible for handling my case. It needed something from the other office where that nightmare bureaucrat worked and the two of them were playing me back and forth between themselves like ping-pong (which I already suspected they would). It is kind of fitting in a very annoying sort of way that they would be playing me like ping-pong, since the game is extremely popular in China, and modern bureaucracies can trace their roots to ancient China.
Bureaucracies first arose in the ancient city of Sumer (which today, would be in Southern Iraq), which itself arose some 7,000 years ago (around 5,000 BC). [1]. At the time of the development of writing around 3,500 BC, which also first occurred in Sumer, scribes would record agricultural produce on clay tablets as a form of book-keeping [2]. Sumerian bureaucracies, however were distinct from modern bureaucracies in that Sumerian bureaucrats were hand-picked by the rulers often from the noble families without recourse to meritocracy in any shape or form and the positions were inheritable. Descendants of bureaucrats could inherit their positions when they were dead.
A little bit over 2,000 years ago (around 200 BC), a new form of bureaucracy emerged in ancient China. In contrast to the Sumerian model, the Chinese emperor at the time started to pick officials based on merit [3]. Not all his motives were altruistic, part of the motive was to break the power of Chinese nobles. No more than a few centuries later, another emperor decreed that formal, written examinations be used to select officials into the Chinese empire’s bureaucratic cadre. This is referred to by historians as the Imperial Examinations system. The Imperial Exams were legendary for their difficulty [3]. The entry level exam had a passing rate of 10-20%. The highest cadre exam had a passing rate of 1-2% [4]. Not a few rebellions were started and officials murdered, as a result of the difficulty of the exams. Chinese classical literature seems to corroborate this. I recall when reading one of China’s greatest literary classics titled Outlaws of the Marsh (known in China as the Water Margin), a Robin Hood like story, which was set in the 12th century (coincidentally, that is roughly the same century that the most famous version of Robin Hood is set in) about a band of outlaws fighting corrupt officials, one character was described as having decided to become a bandit after failing the imperial exams [5]. The book also happened to mention a game that struck me as being very similar to football and on further investigation and to my utmost surprise, I discovered that it was indeed football (known as cuju in Chinese). So you see, they knew what they were doing when they made the movie, Shaolin Soccer.
The Chinese bureaucratic model would soon be emulated in nearby countries like Japan and Korea. As a result of the work of European missionaries and diplomats in Asia, the Chinese Imperial Examination system would be adopted by Germany, France (with suitable local modifications of course) and one of the world’s first megacorporation’s, the British East India Company (EIC) [6]. The British government would then borrow the model from the EIC. The US government in turn would borrow the model from Europe. African governments of course inherited it from their colonial masters.
It goes without saying without saying that bureaucracies have become a fixture of modern life. So much that one of 20th century’s greatest novelists, Franz Kafka, made a name for himself writing fiction almost exclusively about them and their penchant for causing alienation (I recommend The Trial. It’s very good). Such was his influence that the English language evolved the word, Kafkaesque from his name, which is used to describe nightmarishly complex administrative situations where in, the individual feels powerless to understand or to control what is happening. You know you are chilling with the big boys when your name becomes an adjective or verb like “google”. His influence doesn’t end there. In tech, the Big Data ingestion tool, Kafka is named in his honour.
We probably all have had a Kafkaesque experience at one time or the other. I think it behooves us to try to objectively understand why an institution so important causes so much anguish. There are multiple dimensions to it. One obvious one if you take the time to think about it is the large-scale complexity of the problems that bureaucracies are typically tasked with. From your point of view, it’s just a simple identity card or driver’s license but from the bureaucracy’s point of view, it is a gigantic coordination problem involving tens of millions, possibly hundreds of millions individual parts. When looked at from that perspective, that the experience is going to be a nightmare for members of the public from time to time shouldn’t be too surprising.
Another dimension is a well-known problem in economics I discussed when treating privatization that is known as the principal-agency problem. There I had explained that the owners of a company and the managers who run the company on a day to day basis often have misaligned interests, such that it is often a struggle for owners to get managers to do what is in the best interests of the company and not just follow their selfish interests.
A similar dynamic exists between elected politicians and bureaucrats. Politicians are supposedly elected based on their electoral promises and visions for the country. However, it is the bureaucrat who is going to implement those promises and visions on a day to day basis. So a constant problem for the politician is how does she make sure that bureaucrat does what is supposed to be done in the best interests of the country and not follow her selfish interest. This is made more complex by the fact that the bureaucrat, having a lifetime of expertise in that area will very often know more than the politician that is supposed to supervise her.
The solutions politicians typically come up with to this problem is an extensive body of detailed rules trying to govern every aspect of bureaucratic behavior, such that monitoring becomes relatively easy for the politician and any deviation from the rules could be met with punitive measures. This goes a long way to explain the apparent insensitivity that members of the public often encounter when dealing with bureaucrats. This tends to happen because it is impossible for the politician to come up with a rule or procedure that covers every possible scenario. In such circumstances, bureaucrats are often hamstrung because not many would want to take the risk of using their initiative or judgement in an unclear situation, only to be penalized later for impropriety.
This discussion would be incomplete without discussing problems peculiar to developing countries like the effects of corruption, tribalism, nepotism, favouritism and every other “-ism” on bureaucracies. Good bureaucracies by design are meant to be impersonal organizations run on abstract, scientific principles. The implication of this is that, in order to have high functioning bureaucracies in a society, a rational, scientific culture needs to be pervasive in that society, so that bureaucratic recruits in general have the right mental models for performing their jobs at the highest levels. A scientific and rational mindset cannot be described as being pervasive in Africa, where a traditional mindset with a focus on family and tribe predominates.
This unfortunately causes a significant number of bureaucrats to see their organization as a fiefdom, rather than as a place to render public service. It also leads to a vicious politics where the object of the game is to control the source of economic rents to distribute to friends and family rather than an inclusive political setting where the object of the game is to design institutions that enable largely homegrown science and technology to deliver the high productivity needed for inclusive economic development.
These are hard, seemingly intractable problems but it might be a source of encouragement to know that other climes that we associate with having a more enlightened political culture have had similar problems in their past. 19th century American politics was notorious for corruption though mostly at government levels lower than the federal government [7]. This was driven partly the large-scale migrations to America by many different ethnic groups from Europe and Asia [8], creating a culture of ethnic politics. This led a number of American cities, particularly New York, Chicago, Jersey City, St. Louis, and Kansas City (among many others) becoming synonymous with corruption, kickbacks, and bribery. Some political leaders were even nicknamed “Boss”, mafia-style and the entire phenomenon itself was nicknamed “machine politics”.
Solving problems of the kind discussed in the last paragraph, is by nature a slow, gradual process that cannot without major institutional reform. Institutional reform is necessary because such situations imply that a society’s rules have too many loopholes. Effective institutional reform requires active involvement of a significant part of the populace beyond voting in elections because coming up with rules that are fair to everyone requires the active participation of a large number of disparate groups in the reform process. That is how the west came to evolve fairer societies. In the relatively distant past, their societies were just as unfair as any one that can be found in the developing world but getting to where they are now would imply doing what they did, which means more of us would need to get out of our comfort zones and get involved.
BEFORE YOU GO: Please share this post with as many people as possible and check out my book Why Africa is not rich like America and Europe on Amazon.
References
- Wikipedia article on Sumer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumer
- Wikipedia article on Bureaucracy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureaucracy
- Wikipedia article on Imperial Exams https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_examination
- Ibid
- Shi Nai’an. Publication date uncertain. Outlaws of the Marsh
- Wikipedia article on Imperial Exams https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_examination
- Rubinstein, William D. et al. 2010. ‘Weber, Bureaucracy and Corruption’ Open Access Repository www.ssoar.info
- Ibid