Economic Development in Africa

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses economic development in Africa through leadership, along with the impact of such development. The paper first looks at many theorists, such as David Hume, Frederick Nietzsche, John Locke and Karl Marx, and how their theories relate to modern issues in Africa. The paper posits that according to these theorists, nothing has changed in Africa because the people do not want the change. However, the author asks the question: Do the people of Africa know that there is a chance for change? Have they been told, in a way that they understand, that they can work to make a difference? People must have hope for the future, and if that hope can be coupled with knowledge of things that can actually be accomplished, there is a high probability that at least some of them will attempt to do something that will improve their lives and the lives of others. The most important part of this is that these people must be aware of the possibilities, and they must also see that there are actual, realistic ways to attain what it is that they want and need. If they can be shown these things, they may move forward into the understanding that there are other ways to look at the problems and issues that they face. Furthermore, the paper then applies these theoretical statements to a case in Ethiopia in order to make suggestions of how to help the region grow stronger and how to correct some of the problems it has been seeing.


Outline:
Section I. Theory
Section II. Literature Review and Current Research Issue
Section III. Practical Application: Ethiopia

From the Paper:

"Despite this, though, these countries are also growing, and this has been taking place more rapidly in recent years as society becomes more global, and as outsourcing takes place. Because these countries are starting to expand and grow, they are more interesting to investors and other business individuals. As their growth increases, so will the direct investment that many companies are making into them. In turn, this will help their growth increase still further, boosting their economies and prompting others to invest in them more strongly. Based on this, not only will the investors prosper, but the developing countries will prosper as well, and this will benefit everyone that is involved.
"This is not to say that foreign direct investment is always good, or that it completely helps every country because, with economic growth comes changes to the way that people live and work, and some of these changes are not always wanted. More people having nicer things due to a better economy, for example, can make those that still do not have much envious, which can turn them to crime and other problems. However, overall, foreign direct investment appears to be a fast-moving and growing industry that is, for the most part, providing much to individuals in developing countries. Without further study of the issue, though, this cannot completely be determined. Foreign direct investment is not always the best choice, however, and there are other ways to encourage economic growth and development for countries that are not doing well, either because of governmental problems, because of wars, or for other reasons, such as famine and disease."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ashley, D. & Orenstein, D. M. (2000). Sociological Theory: Classical Statements (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
• Bongie, L. L. (1998) David Hume - Prophet of the Counter-Revolution. Liberty Fund, Indianapolis,
• Comte's, A. (1855). View of the Nature and Importance of the Positive Philosophy [Electronic version]. Retrieved October 24, 2002, from http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/faculty /hodgson/Courses/so11/frameworks/fpintro.html
• Durkheim, E. (1997). The Division of Labor in Society. New York, NY: Free Press.
• Foucault. (n.d.) Foucault.Info. Retrieved from http://foucault.info/foucault/biography.html

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