Economics
Its good to hear that nations formally colonised by France and subject to a stranglehold on their wealth because of French domination are finally getting their own currency so that they can ditch the CFA Franc. At least that’s the plan, there are hurdles to overcome.
Here is an Al Jazeera article on this story.
Here is a link to The European Union vs French Colonial Taxes, where I wrote about the mind boggling amount that France extracts from these countries each year.
I’m so glad to see African leaders are thinking positively about the future. Africa has a huge wealth of natural resources, and I believe when trade and prosperity comes into the people’s every day lives, the war and conflict will diminish.
Another great Al Jazeera report. Who would have though that our current refugee crisis can be linked right back to colonialism, and the need for colonial powers to maintain their grip on the resources the raped countries to obtain centuries ago.
Well, actually, I had figured it out already. Even though I am European, and British in fact, I still can’t help but feel excluded, out of step with, and ultimately disgusted by the colonial powers that have and continue to exploit the whole world in a crass show of hypocritical civilisation.
There has been a lot of talk recently about how UK citizens pay more to The European Union than they receive back from the EU in terms of funding. In many ways that shouldn’t be a surprise, because any system of government that you pay money into has to extract more than it pays out, otherwise it will bankrupt itself.
It’s interesting that the United Kingdom spends is around 2.33% of it’s GDP on membership of the European Union, according to the Office of National Statistics (£18.9bn of £814.6bn in 2016 – apparently this represents around 1% of UK GDP.) It’s a large sum of money, that although relatively small in comparison with our large economy has sparked deep feelings of animosity, coupled with a resentment of European Institutions and the laws they set which impact the lives of UK citizens. Some people in the UK feel this situation around Brexit could lead to violence on the streets of the UK.
What is a surprise, however, is that 14 African Francophone countries (formerly French colonies) pay France, a single country – not a union representing 27 countries, $500bn per year. On average that works out at £27.29bn for each of the 14 countries involved who have far less strong economies than the UK, and are considered for less “developed” than the UK also.
One wonders why when people fear violence on the streets of a “first world” economy over Brexit, why it isn’t more obvious that discord exists in many African countries because of the ties to leech-like foreign regimes that bleed their countries dry and leave the people to fight over the scraps of what is left! What would happen in the UK if we ever had such a situation thrust upon us?
Thanks to my work colleague Abeyomi who shared this video with me, that was a revelation, and made me decide to write about the plight of some African countries in terms that people from the UK might understand:
Further Reading:
African Heritage: The 11 Components of The French Colonial Tax in Africa
South African History Online: The Berlin Conference 1884-1885
It may have come about as a result of a diplomatic spat, France and Italy in disagreement over each others refusal to accept certain refugees, but actually the utterance of the Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi di Maio is strangely honest and accurate, for he said.
“France is one of those countries that by printing money for 14 African states prevents their economic development and contributes to the fact that the refugees leave and then die in the sea or arrive on our coasts…”
The currency he is speaking of is the CFA franc, a colonial-era currency backed by the French treasury. Mr di Maio hinted at France manipulating countries who use the currency.
So it isn’t just me that can see the effects of colonialism and its latter day manifestations are having on the African continent. To see Africa Prosper, exploitation and colonialism must be stopped. But the fact is those who colonize and exploit African countries “need” to do so to boost their economies. As Mr di Maio again said “if it wasn’t for Africa, France would rank 15th among world economies, not in the top six”.
So there you have it, European countries complain about migrants but are major contributors to the migrant problem, through colonialism, capitalist exploitation, and destabilization. We drive policy where our hearts lead us, Europe values profit and power over humanitarian need and justice.
So Leavers are saying that the idea of a delaying Article 50 or having a second referendum is just a conspiracy formed by the Westminster “elite” who want to remain. We have people suggesting that a delaying Article 50 or having a second referendum will cause civil unrest on the part of Leave voters who feel cheated.
Are Leave voters so Luddite, undemocratic and lacking in sensibility that they somehow will forget the chance that they, as well as anyone else will (if the option arose again) have to vote in a democratic way, promoted by the ineffectiveness of our parliament, in order to help steer our democracy and either affirm or disprove the assumed public sentiment about the current referendum result?
The real conspiracy is not the fact that Article 50 might be delayed or a second referendum might be run, but that the lies the Leave camp thrust into the first debate have been proven to be untrue, and the analysis of The Bank Of England, CBI and other key institutions has also raised further concern about the likely path that Britain will take to exit Europe – that being a “hard Brexit” are generally being ignored. This is coupled with the fact that the Prime Minister has delayed key votes and excluded Parliament from the process of helping to shape the deal to leave the EU until the last-minute, offering a token listening ear, after which there has been no movement on the Government position, just a repetition of things promised before, which have yet to be delivered.
It’s so strange that we can look across The Atlantic at America, and see Donald Trump blocked by Congress over his wishes to build a wall on the US – Mexican border. We can see the statistics that have been shared about immigrants and illegal immigrants have often proved to be untrue, we can rationalise about that and demonize President Trump for promoting untruths revealed by fact checking. Yet at the same time, we seem to be unable to fact check the information that has been fed to us about Brexit. Isn’t it the case that we have been told “You can walk off the cliff, it will be alright”? Are we Lemmings for some nefarious Brexiteers plot to ruin what’s left of the UK so that a new generation of people with economic power can take root? Someone always capitalizes out of change and even misfortune – just look at The Government’s choice of cross-channel ferry service, which doesn’t have any staff, doesn’t have any ferries and has never sailed one either!? Surely someone must see the stupidity in all this?
What government would, though inaction, exclusion, delay, and ignoring advice projecting adverse outcomes, forge ahead with plans that will harm the people the Government is supposed to not only represent but protect? Theresa May will possibly be able to save her own party from splitting apart, but the country will be split apart by the outcome of her parties actions, both by delivering a poorly framed referendum, followed by a dithering and obstinate handling of the withdrawal agreement process. When the country does split apart and the economy fails, I believe people will remember the mess the Conservatives have plunged this country into, and remember it for many years to come. Governing a country with blinkered fatalism is a sure way to disaster.
The fact is Brexit, whether we had chosen to remain, or as it is, leave; could have been handled so much better, there is something fishy going on and we must find out the reason it has not been handled. Here’s to hoping that we don’t sleep-walk right off the cliff, one foot is already over the edge…
I’ve written previously about the irresponsibility of David Cameron and the mess he left behind for his successor, the unfortunate and rather obstinate Theresa May. My issue now is with how mature our democracy actually is, in terms of the outcomes it permits, they way issues are progressed by politicians and the media.
A referendum is a binary choice, yes or no – it that too simplistic for a decision of this magnitude? As it transpires there are “flavours” of remain as well as well as leave, and perhaps this was not envisaged at the time the referendum was posed. If a referendum is to represent the mandate of the people and an instruction to government, then shouldn’t it accurately reflect the true wishes of the people, rather than leave so much open to guesswork and interpretation? If Britain crashes out of Europe and some of the predictions of doom come true, higher prices, contracting economy, job losses, will the Government of the day really be able to look back and say, we acted according to the mandate you set for us? Is our disdain for Europe really that pronounced, that we are willing to cut off our collective nose to spite our face?
There is talk of a conspiracy to subvert the majority Leave vote by an establishment that supports Remain. I think in the event that Brexit is cancelled permanently, this has some credibility. If Brexit is delayed or if there is another referendum, then I don’t think such claims ring true. It’s amazing that some people are suggesting another referendum is anti-democratic, people will still all have the chance to vote again, the same as they did before. The only thing that has changed now, is that we have a little more information about the whole process, a clearer understanding of the consequences, the original hype of both campaigns laid bare, so that the truth remains and we can make a slightly more informed decision.
With all that said, isn’t the rejection of a second referendum itself anti-democratic? Couldn’t this perhaps reflect a conspiracy by the Brexit camp who wanted the country to make a decision about leaving the European Union based on half baked promises, untruths and an uncertain future? Who will it benefit to see a downturn in our economy? Only those who have the funds to invest before the economy pics up again, as it inevitably will. One must realise though, that Brexit is a power play, it is about forming the alliances of political and economic power that will shape this countries future for generations to come – those who can afford to now capitalise on the imminent vacuum left by the severing of relationships from Europe. Brexit will not benefit the average person in the short term.
This is also a concern, that after 2.5 years, our decision is only going to be slightly more informed. After 2.5 years, the government and political parties haven’t found a consensus and a way forward, Theresa May has ignored Parliament and even at times her own cabinet, and the issue has been used like a party political issue with both the Conservatives and Labour trying to points score. The media has only served perpetuate this madness by decrying why Labour are not further ahead in the polls given the Prime Ministers weak leadership. The real issue is, the narrow margin of the vote itself, and that the vote splits Conservative, Labour, and voters of all main parties so there is no clear majority for anything!
People don’t “win” a referendum, this is not like the outcome of a football match. Would a mature government disregard the wishes of 49% of the electorate to meet the requirements of 51%? I think compromise and consensus has to be sought. Even if a new referendum were to be run in and the result went in favour of those who want to Remain, the Leave camp’s views should not be sidelined. If it truly is considered that a new referendum will destroy democracy, you could take an aggregate of the two referendums to arrive at a result, yet I doubt that would prove conclusive.
What is really needed, and has been far to long in the waiting, is a mature debate formed around developing a consensus that as a country, not as divided camps of Leave and Remain, we can all get behind and agree with to help us move forward. The politicians have a duty not only to uphold the result of the referendum, but to act in our interests, and if they have no clear mandate for what they are doing, we need to be consulted again. The fact that this has dragged on for so long with no movement forward is an embarrassment to our democracy, and really shines a light on how superficial and partizan we are as a country.
Is there really a new scramble for the control of resources on the African continent? America, China and Russia all seem to be flexing their military and economic might in the latest phase of this age old power struggle as Foreign Policy In Focus details.
Right now, White men rule the world. Women are valued less than men, so women are paid less than men. Minorities are valued less than white people, so we get paid less.
None of this is right. It might be the way things are, and the way things have been for some time, but that doesn’t make it right!
Should we be pursuing some kind of class action to sue companies that discriminate in this way? After all, discrimination is against the law isn’t it?
I just read this article on BBC news:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46289853
I wonder why the people who make laws in this country believe it is right to allow the poorer people in this society to pay twice as much for goods, just because they can’t afford to pay for thier purchases all in one go.
Systemic unfairness and inequality is guaranteed by a system like this!
I’m not a Tory and I don’t like Theresa May, but I do feel sorry for her! The villan of the Brexit shambles we are facing is the entire political establishment of this country who didn’t have the intellgence:-
Firstly to post the correct referendum QUESTIONS, because one question clearly wasn’t enough. Their are consideations for trade, currency, boarders and immigration, security etc.
Secondly, they didn’t have the honesty to focus on the real issues we needed to debate and just talked about the usual unsubstatiated political soundbites that would win votes.
So we’ve voted, and actually the Government don’t have a clear mandate, because there was no clear message from the public about the granular detail that a decision like exiting from the EU actually required.
The referendum was just like an add on to the real “villain of the peice”, David Cameron’s election bid, so he could say – “I’ve delivered on what I promised”. Yes he did but thoughltessly and without due diligence, leaving his successor with the most impossible political task to fulfil, and the country in a complete mess.
They say Labour can’t be trusted with the economy, they are all spend, spend, spend; but I am actualy scratching my head and struggling to think what we can trust The Conservative Party with? I’m pretty sure the are about to bring this country to a devisive, devision ridden, econimic ruin.
If Theresa May should resign, so should her entire party, or better still all of those useless people who get paid to make our country better, who are in fact ruining it!
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1049392/brexit-news-theresa-may-brexit-deal-bbc-news-5-live-EU
Are refugees and migrants examples of modern-day slaves?
When slavery first started, disunity was caused between free people to destabilise countries and make people vulnerable to be captured as slaves.
Today, arguably many nations are destabilised by foreign powers. People then are drawn into want and need because of a dysfunctional society. In its worst form, people are forced to flee their native lands to seek a better life elsewhere, and to cultivate that basic human need, to stay alive and live in safety.
Refugees and migrants, like slaves struggle to have their status recognised by their adopted society, they engage in hard and/or low paid work, they are often hated, abused and victimized.
I see the growing refugee crisis and movement of migrants across the world are symbolic of the rejuvenation of the power, or spiritual principality of slavery, manifest in a new form.
It is no surprise to me that The United States of America is chief of those nations causing instability in other nations. When people are refugees the children caught up in this are destined to suffer, not only upheval but the loss of their education, and therefore poor education and all that entails in terms of the potential limits on opporunities open to these children when they grow up, just further deepens the cycle of disruption, exploitation and pseudo-slavery.
It’s a cruel game those with power play, to lurk behind the scenes, carrying out their work, so they think, in darkness, devouring the resources of other lands, underpaying people in those lands for their labour to feed the capitalist system of exploitation where the profits on these resources are mostly earned abroad, thus creating poverty in those countries which have been exploited. Wars, destabilization, currency manipulation and extortionate lending all feed into this vicious cycle of devaluing people and lands as a tool to keep people suppressed, lacking the elements to truly define themselves, because they live under the definition of their oppressors.
When migrants and refugees take flight, many in power will complain about their influx, draft policies to “control” and help with integration, while knowing, but not wanting to admit, that the influx of these people into other countries is a natural consequence of capitalism and is needed to reinforce the notion that wealth, value and security are to be found in the lands of the oppressors. The sad fact it that a person who is less valued by the oppressor, can only have wealth, value and security in the doled out portions that the systemic, implicit mechanisms of control will naturally allow, even attempts to branch out beyond this predetermined way of life are likely to fall into stereotypes – the migrant footballer or sportsperson, black market trade, drugs; truly integration is the illusion of inclusion. To integrate fully is to deny oneself ones ability to truly define oneself, because the definition of integration is set by a people who, because of their pride, devalue and oppress other people to preserve “their own”.
4 “Look at the proud: he is inwardly not upright;
but the righteous will attain life through trusting faithfulness.
5 Truly, wine is treacherous;
the arrogant will not live at peace
but keeps expanding his desires like Sh’ol;
like death, he can never be satisfied;
he keeps collecting all the nations for himself,
rallying to himself all the peoples.
6 Won’t all these take up taunting him
and say about him, in mocking riddles,
‘Woe to him who amasses other people’s wealth!—
how long must it go on?—
and to him who adds to himself the weight
of goods taken in pledge!
7 Won’t your own creditors suddenly stand,
won’t those who make you tremble wake up?
You will become their spoil.
8 Because you plundered many nations,
all the rest of the peoples will plunder you;
because of the bloodshed and violence done
to the land, the city and all who live there.9 “ ‘Woe to him who seeks unjust gain for his household,
putting his nest on the heights,
in order to be safe from the reach of harm.
10 By scheming to destroy many peoples,
you have brought shame to your house
and forfeited your life.
11 For the very stones will cry out from the wall,
and a beam in the framework will answer them. (Hab 2:4–11 CJB).