This paper discusses that throughout Western Africa the quest for diamonds has caused civil wars and affected the stability of many governments and their economies.
Abstract The paper discusses the battles over diamonds in the Western Africa nations especially the civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The paper points out that many African countries especially Botswana, the world's largest diamond producer, have avoided the diamond wars and developed a prosperous economy fuelled by diamonds. The author states that world governments and organizations, diamond traders, financial institutions, arms manufacturers, social and educational institutions, human rights groups and celebrities are combining their efforts to demand the strict enforcement of sanctions and encourage peace in Africa.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Competing for Diamonds
Would-Be Success of Diamond Countries
Fighting the Rebels
Conclusion
From the Paper "National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), a rebel group, has been in constant conflict with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola ( MPLA) for about twenty years. These two groups have created a civil war in Angola as both groups fight for control of the country. As a result, the country is covered in land mines that kill many innocent people on a daily basis. Still UNITA refuses to relinquish diamond mines to the MPLA government and the country remains in a dangerous civil war."
Abstract This paper examines the Kalahari bushmen known as the Kung with regard to Gordon's work, explaining how the community has been left behind, amid modernization in Namibia and Botswana. Main argument pertains to how we see indigenous cultures, whether they should be 'preserved' or helped to adapt to modernity in ways that the people might benefit.
Abstract This paper approaches the San situation from an anthropological perspective, and addresses development as well. The author looks at how the San culture has undergone major changes.
The paper gives a brief history and ethnography of the !Kung San. It discusses San settlement, gives a detailed history of the conflict, as well as outlining the current San situation.
From the paper:
"With the help of the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy and Integrated Rural Development, the Nyae Nyae have also managed to establish an area of land where communities have control over natural resource management (Hitchcock & Beisele, 2002). Community based natural resource management is one of the most important aspects of development for the San. By controlling access to natural resources, the San can ensure their survival. Accomplishments such as those of the Nyae Nyae are to be applauded, and looked to for models of how to achieve autonomy. To make this kind of development possible however, communities need skills in management, administration, and finance. Fortunately several NGOs have been able to provide this for some of the San (Hitchcock, 2002)."
From the paper:
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Tags: africa, anthropology, development, exploitation, human, rights, san
Abstract This paper analyzes post colonial Africa in a critical way, using contemporary thought in African politics. The role of the state in a state-led, as opposed to a liberalized economic entity and one where the state is expected to be partner, facilitator and mediator, yet to an extent still interventionist, is examined. Problems of democratization and development on the African continent, the epidemic of AIDS, other health disorders and lack of the state power to control some problems in ethnic clashes is thoroughly discussed.
From the Paper "After years of colonial rule, especially up to the 1960s and 1970s the concept of the state has been critically reviewed in order to appraise its function within the context of the operation of government and politics in Africa. It is one argument to suppose that within the post-colonial era ? which is the period just after the so-called "end" of colonial rule up to the pre and post-independence periods between the early 1950s throughout the 1960s and even onward to present ? the state lost or is losing its effectiveness. It is another argument to consider that with the establishment of multiparty regimes, the state's role was in fact consolidated. However, conceptually as well as practically, the role of the state and how Africans view the legitimacy of such an entity was much influenced by the fact that it was used by dominant groups within different African territories for individual domestic reasons. Different political cultures of some territories such as Ghana, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Mali and even to an extent Uganda, Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa generally, have only partially allowed democracies to flourish. This caused limited political, economic and social development in Africa as a whole."
Abstract Structural Adjustment Policies are economic policies which countries must follow in order to qualify for international loans. This paper examines structural adjustment policies as applied to contemporary Africa and the extent to which these policies may or may not be relevant. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Botswana, are cited as useful case-studies in evaluating the programs. It also analyzes the effects of these policies on health, education, transportation, national budgets and devaluation.
From the Paper "From the late 1970s and into the 1980s, there have been a great many arguments concerning the introduction of structural adjustment policies in African territories. In essence, when one speaks of an on-going debate about the relevance of structural adjustment policies, one speaks to the fact that structural adjustment policies had both positive and negative effects on African countries, such as Gambia, Lesotho, Malawi, Uganda, Cote d Ivoire, Zaire, Ghana and Zambia, as well as most of Sub-Saharan Africa collectively. By extension, therefore, the debate proceeds as to whether structural adjustment policies were substantively or inherently ineffective, since most of the people suffering under such programmes were the poor and the disadvantaged, a great portion of them being women. Other main arguments concern the fact that by the professed stabilization or restructuring of economies, adjustment policies stressed cuts in expenditure and the reduction of subsidies as well as limited public sector involvement that often augured well for education programmes. The reduction in expenditure on health programmes also caused health risks in the form of the deprivation of Africans of needed facilities and medicines, for example, for diseases such as HIV/AIDS."
Tags: aids, development, economic, health, poverty, globalization, imf, world, bank
From the Paper "The Ju/'hoansi are bushmen of the Kalahari Desert who live in the area of northwestern Botswana near the border of Namibia. This location is important because the Kalahari and its relative isolation provide an environment that nourishes a significant foraging culture and isolates it from heavy penetration and influence by the outside world. This paper will examine how the Ju/'hoansi Bushmen's lives are influenced by their environment and how it affects their subsistence, political organization, mobility, and shelter.
In contrast to the conceptions of a Western industrialized culture as the pinnacle of human success, the Ju/'hoansi present a picture of steady work, steady leisure, and adequate diet (Lee iv). The traditional Ju/'hoansi need to work only a few hours a day to maintain a caloric level that enables them to live.."
Abstract This essay examines Richard Lee's The "Dobe Ju/'hoansi" and Elizabeth Grobsmith's "Lakota of the Rosebud". We learn how the Dobe Ju/'hoansi are a tribe of fierce and independent people who live on the border between Namibia and Botswana. Lee focuses on several cultural traits among the Dobe Ju/'hoansi, especially their hunting techniques, sexuality and religion. Grobsmith, meanwhile, shows us the culture of the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and its people. We see many similar similarities and differences with the Dobe Ju/'hoansi.
Abstract This report focuses on the African nation of Angola and some possible financial solutions to the constant health care threat from AIDS. The paper looks at how Angola's opportunity for social and economic development is contingent upon the need to, first, focus on the AIDS crisis there, its prevention, its care, and its treatment.
From the Paper "The situation in Angola is critical according to the United Nations. ?It said that in addition to the problems caused by recent displacement, the country faced a structural emergency that was characterized by a breakdown in social services that jeopardized the health and education of vulnerable groups, particularly children.? (Weekly Round Up) Although the Angolan war and a lack of mobility continues to help the nation avert the AIDS epidemic other African populations are facing. However, because of the fact that the Sub-Saharan Africa's leading cause of death is HIV/AIDS, a sound educational program should be instituted as soon as possible to help educate the nation's people just how serious the problem they are facing really is. Some recent studies have shown that approximately eight percent of Angolans are already HIV positive."
Abstract Not all countries in the world are fortunate to have the knowledge and medical assistance to prevent the spread of AIDS. Africa is one continent that is struggling with this devastating disease. This paper includes possible theories on how AIDS has spread all over Africa and which areas are more specifically affected. It talks about the social and cultural factors that affect and cause the spread of AIDS.
From the Paper "The most common problem with battling AIDS is often the people it targets. Among the groups for AIDS, homosexuals, IV drug users and blood transfusions patients are targeted risk groups, but are indeed not that largest. The largest area would predominantly be the heterosexual sex. The male to female ratio of persons infected with HIV is close to 15:1 in most developed countries. The ratio in Africa is 1:1 (Baldauf 1997). By having men and women equally infected with the HIV virus in sub-Saharan Africa, the virus is more likely to spread through families and especially to children."
Abstract This research paper explores the determining factors of growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by examining the increasingly dominant role of financial assistance, natural resources, culture and non governmental organizations in selected countries of the region. To understand this relationship better, the paper makes a comparison between economic policies, cultural variations and political systems of selected countries. The countries this study reviews are Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, Uganda and Sierra Leone.
Outline:
Methodology
Objective
Introduction
Theoretical Background
Previous Work and Literature
Economy Openness
Culture
Foreign Assistance
The Role of NGOs
From the Paper "Countries rich in resources must be tempted to promote their export growing policies, which will increase economy openness and exposure to external shocks even to a higher degree. The country will improve its' international competitive position if it promotes exports and trade by investing heavily into this economy sphere. The second round positive result from promoting exports and trade is the future possible exploitation of economies of scale in production when the output sales markets for the producers expand. The third round positive affect is that the producers will naturally eliminate inefficient production facilities and invest into high technology and train and grow skilled labor resources to remain competitive in the global arena. These are the main reasons for opening up the economy and playing on the global market arena, and are very effective economy stimulating methods for economies with low local purchasing power and thus limited local output markets, which are the classifications of African counties, as proven by Fosu . "Open economies do grow more rapidly than closed economies... Whether the measure of openness has to do with exchange rate overvaluation, relative price distortions, tariffs and quotas, share of trade in GDP, the black market premium, or a composite measure combining some of these with state monopolization of commodity exports and general socialism" (Easterly, 2000, p. 48) . "
Abstract This essay takes an in-depth look at the "opt-out" rescue plan for Africa, antiretrovirals for Africans suffering from HIV/AIDS. The paper reports that diseases such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis have exacerbated Africans' plight by claiming millions of more African lives and leaving a comparable number of families crippled without the main income-provider and/or busy taking care of sick relatives.
Outline:
Introduction
The AIDS Problem and Economy
The Plan
Pros to the People and Government
Cons to the People and Government
Pros and Cons to the Health Care Providers
Pros and Cons to Pharmaceuticals
Pros and Cons to the United States
Conditions for the Plan
Other Plans of Helping the African Economy and AIDS Crisis and How They Fail
Conclusion
From the Paper "Some say if there was hell on earth Africa would be it. For centuries, civil wars arising from corrupt governments and disputes over scarce resources have killed hundreds of thousands and displaced tens of millions more. This past century, diseases such as AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis have exacerbated Africans' plight by claiming millions of more African lives and leaving a comparable number of families crippled without the main income-provider and/or busy taking care of sick relatives. These problems has seriously undermine the productivity of the African economy and has created a cruel reinforcing cycle where poverty has lead to more sickness from inability to obtain treatment and has made opportunities for corruption and civil unrest to thrive, which then increases poverty even more. In 2003, Africa's GDP per capita was the lowest at $1000, while the next continent's (Asia) GDP per capita earner took in at least double that amount; the United States was the highest at $28,000. Signs of economic recovery are showing as GDP per capita has increased some these past two years, but is still very weak1. There are many options in treating the problem, but it seems that only one is best in correcting it. I contend that in order for Africa to dig itself out of its economic and social decadence, it should attack the HIV/AIDS crisis through free mandatory "opt-out" testing, treatment, and counseling in hard hit HIV/AIDS area where there is an adequate health system to carry out the AIDS plan effectively and are in countries with little or any political corruption."
Abstract This paper presents an examination of globalization and how it impacts identity in Africa. The paper focus on the African Bushmen, and looks at group as well as individual identity issues as the Bushmen relate to the globalization process.
Outline:
Summary
Introduction
Historically
Globalization
Putting It All Together
Conclusion
From the Paper " In drawing a visual one can compare it to a phenomena commonly referred to as peer pressure in the world. It has long since been known that if one chooses to associate with a certain type of people it does not take long for that individual to begin to accept the mindset of the group. It does not take long for that person to begin excusing behaviors that may be questionable. In fact, there is a syndrome called the Stockholm Syndrome in which victims of kidnap and violence eventually begin to identify with their captors and become sympathetic to their cause. "
Abstract This paper first explains that Mary Louise Pratt's term "contact zone" refers to social spaces where cultures meet, clash and grapple with each other, often in contexts of highly asymmetrical relations of power, such as colonialism. The paper then discusses the problems that tourism can create in the contact zones between tourists and natives. Tourism in the Okavango Delta of Botswana and the Borderlands between Mexico and the U.S. is explored as examples of contact zones. The paper stresses that tourist needs to consider sustainable tourism, where the socio-cultural identity of the natives is protected.
From the Paper "In places that foster enclave-tourism, the relations of power are very asymmetrical. The tourists have more money and more power, as do the international companies involved in the tourism industry, while the natives assimilate to the tourists and the industry. This assimilation happens because the minority culture wants to appeal to the tourists better. It also happens, and this is seen mostly in the younger generations, because the minorities find themselves wanting to be more like the dominant culture, which makes this case different from that of Poma."
Tags: autoethnographic assimilation minority transculturation, dominant society
