Logic of Equality in Development Politics
The world is changing. It has changed before, and now we want to move forward. Before slavery, people and nations engaged in trade using either money, such as the Kissi Penny in West Africa, or the barter system, where goods were exchanged for other goods. Then slavery took hold, dominating the economy. This does not mean slavery did not exist before — it did, often as a form of voluntary labour in exchange for protection, with people having the option to opt out. In its earlier forms, slavery was not entirely removed from normal trade; slaves were not commodities, and their servitude was often temporary. In some cases, slavery could lead to individuals becoming heirs, marrying into their master’s family, or even rising to positions of power depending on their contributions, particularly in military service.
This was a reality across various cultures and religions. However, when the transatlantic slave trade emerged as a necessary evil, turning humans into commodities, many people lost their humanity — both those who traded in humans and those who were traded. Traders dehumanized their fellow humans, justifying their actions by deeming certain people inferior to avoid moral accountability. Then came colonialism — a more sophisticated but still insidious form of human commoditization, extending control over people politically, economically, and socially. While the slave trade focused on trade, colonialism aimed to “civilize” those deemed inferior as if civilization were a monopoly of a select few.
Although this system was criticized, it led to political liberation while still embedding a system of control where decisions were made by a few for all, maintaining the divide between the “civilized” and the “uncivilized.” This legacy has created a world of “first” and “third” worlds, “developed” and “underdeveloped” nations, despite everyone facing similar challenges at different levels. The so-called developed nations are only so because of centuries of plundering and the safeguards they have built to maintain their position. This history fuels hate speech, racism, and the rise of far-right movements, such as recent riots in the United Kingdom and across Europe. What politicians fail to acknowledge is that the wealth and development they boast of were built on the exploitation of those they now label as immigrants, with their economies reliant on cheap immigrant labour. Until we confront these truths, racism will persist, and the privileged will continue to see themselves as superior. The hidden truths that sustain racism must be unveiled, and the reality told to the world. With growing criticism of these systems and calls for a new order, the push for equality is understandable. For justice to prevail, the systems that uphold the wealth and power of the so-called “civilized” world must be dismantled.
However, the system resists self-transformation, and many, not fully informed, quickly join the noise. It is important to recognize that a privileged group cannot easily relinquish its privileges, and despite past sins, those within it — including their children and indirect beneficiaries — are still important. It is also notable that some within the privileged group feel offended when issues of race and equality are discussed. But victims cannot be told how to express their pain; it is up to them to articulate their hurt. It is for the privileged to acknowledge, accept, and adjust, even though this adjustment is often uncomfortable, placing us all in a dilemma. We must work together to find a way forward, with the privileged understanding that there needs to be more space for others and that new thinking must be based on equality and equity. With respect and mutual understanding, there is always a way to accept one another. Those who feel disadvantaged should not judge based on assumptions alone. This also means establishing a new, rule-based order that accommodates rights with rules that are equally applicable, beneficial, and trustworthy.
One key system developed to uphold colonial actions, thoughts, beliefs, and social concepts is aid — whether humanitarian, developmental, or corporate social responsibility — aid is an instrument, and every instrument has a desired goal.
Therefore, we must scrutinize the processes embedded in aid packages and how corporations benefit from and trade with countries that were once colonized. Typically, aid reinforces stereotypes, and discrimination, and provides a platform to justify poverty and other controlled systems.
Another element of this system is the banking sector and the control of land and properties through a legal framework originally used by colonial powers to enforce their beliefs. This is why “the law is the law” — a concept rooted in colonial rule. Since societies often question morality, people have created law as a replacement for morality, and as long as the law regulates and provides for the exploitation of certain groups, it remains supreme and just, even when its foundation is flawed.
Here is the trick, any form of plundering whether by law or ignorance of the law, it is plundering, and it is morally wrong — and this is enough to say, a wrong is a wrong.
A new concept in this context is the blame game. Take, for instance, corruption. Currently, Corruption or the fight against corruption is one of the most destabilizing forces in Africa. Interestingly, the most corrupt countries in the world are those that were once colonized, and the most corrupt individuals in these countries are often those with Western backing, Western education, and connections to elite Western universities. This suggests that the root cause of corruption in formerly colonized nations may stem from the very colonial structures themselves. Moreover, nearly 98% of corrupt funds are stored in Western banks, linking the banking system to corruption as an instrument of control over local economies in these territories. Meanwhile, Western embassies often encourage the youth to blame their leaders, further reinforcing the connection between aid, banking, and corruption as tools of control — essentially a modern form of “divide and rule.”
If we are to dismantle discrimination, and racial poverty, and build a new order, it cannot be through these same three connectors or their agents. While it is acceptable to transform the first (aid) toward a new goal that favours mutual, respectful, and equal relationships, it is also crucial to reestablishing trade in its original intent — akin to the barter system, where trade was about exchanging what one has in abundance for what one needs or wants. A fair and respectful market system must be reintroduced, benefiting all. Extracting iron ore from a country and selling steel back to that same country is not only nonsensical but also an insult rooted in colonial tenets that assume the inferiority of others. This must end, and it must end now.
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This is where we transition from slavery to equality and equity. When decisions are mutually reached, actions are respectfully implemented, and outcomes are jointly harvested for the benefit of all, based on needs rather than favours and advantages, the world will be ready for true change. With such change, there is enough room for everyone, comfort for all, and people will be valued as people — marking the true move from slavery to equality with equity as the guiding principle.
From Poverty to Trading Power
The next phase of human development is poised to be a significant challenge, particularly for African nations. What isn’t often emphasized is that development inherently involves competition, and success in this competition hinges on building a robust economy capable of sustaining progress, ensuring security as a safeguard, with education forming its fundamental bedrock.
Entrepreneurship empowers young individuals to innovate, create goods and services, and generate employment opportunities. Governments play a crucial role by providing the necessary legal framework to protect businesses, individuals, properties, and contracts, while also offering incentives to spur investment in capital goods, establish production facilities, and steer the trajectory of national development.
This dynamic creates considerable tension for any nation aspiring to superpower status. It’s the primary rationale behind the secrecy surrounding technological advancements and underscores the formidable challenges of development.
Considering the ongoing economic upheavals and market shocks, elements often overlooked in mainstream discourse, we can suggest that we are not told the truth. Historically, only a handful of countries dominated global production and trade. However, with China’s emergence, this status quo was disrupted, posing significant challenges to nations reliant on export revenues. Consequently, many formerly dominant economic powers have scaled back their aid initiatives worldwide, solely because their surpluses have dwindled.
The narrative of industrial prowess has shifted from Europe to China, with the latter spearheading innovations in machinery, infrastructure, and construction. Moreover, we’ve witnessed the emergence of locally manufactured machinery in Africa and Asia, reducing dependence on foreign goods.
This economic restructuring has caused disruptions, prompting many countries to reconsider their aid commitments. This underscores how aid has historically been intertwined with colonialist agendas and underscores the push by dominant players to dictate global trade frameworks.
However, the reduction in aid presents an opportunity for Africa to chart its course toward self-sufficiency. Rather than viewing it as a hindrance, it should be seen as a catalyst for indigenous development. To achieve this, African nations must invest in their economies, prioritize local production, nurture homegrown talent, and reduce reliance on imports. By doing so, they can reclaim agency in international trade negotiations, defining the terms on which they engage with the global market.
The African Union should pivot its focus from politics to trade, security, and public health. These are the arenas where the next battles for dominance and the remnants of colonialism will be fought. By developing indigenous technologies and systems, Africa can assert itself on the global stage, negotiating fair and equitable terms that benefit all parties involved.
African countries should collaborate based on their comparative advantages and specializations. For instance, South Africa’s expertise in security and arms production positions it as a regional hub for security operations. Similarly, some nations excel in agriculture, while others demonstrate prowess in technologies, artificial intelligence, and engineering.
By recognizing and leveraging these strengths, African nations can foster unity, collaboration, and collective progress, laying the foundation for a prosperous continent.
