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Matthew LoBelloOctober 19, 2013Comparative PoliticsProfessor Fennell

The Revolution Towards Freedom

Weak states persist because of powerless, corrupt governments. The foundation of any

successful state is its people. Citizens need government to provide them with opportunities to

flourish, prosper, and succeed. However, as we have seen, states struggle to progress and

develop resulting in cultural and ethnic boundaries and the rise of lawless gang activity. This has

never been more evident then in contemporary Africa. For centuries, various representatives and

“elected” officials have failed to advance and develop their state due to the exploitation within

their own government. Whatever their motivations, whether profit, power, or authoritative

principle, their government is hindering progression in society. Africa’s corruption and

exploitation is evidenced in John Ghazvinian’s book, “Untapped”, and Robert H. Jackson and

Carl G. Rosberg’s scholarly piece, “Why Africa’s Weak States Persist: The Empirical and the

Juridical in Statehood”. These works illustrate the continuing complications that exist within the

state and the violent individuals and groups that aim to take power. Yet, in order to overcome

and grow, Africa must promote education and urge the international community for support in

their fight for justice and democracy.

John Ghazvinian’s book, “Untapped” exposes corruption within government and

demonstrates the results of a disjointed Africa that has been victimized by the crude oil industry.

When talking about the illegal act of “bunkering,” which many gangs use to fund their violence,

and the allocation of its profits, Ghazvinian says, “During election campaigns, particularly those

of 2003, many of these armed gangs have been hired by state and local politicians looking to

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intimidate communities into voting for them” (pg. 54). Ghazvinian goes on to say, “Leaving

aside what it means for the future of a young democracy to have elections fought down the barrel

of a gun, no one seems to have thought seriously about what the gangs would do after the

elections were over” (pg. 54). This imposing power that emerges to intimidate voters and distort

elections is directly attributed to the lack of governmental power. Without strong democratic

leadership within the state, it is very difficult to trust anyone creating an “every man for himself”

mentality that distorts and dilutes the impact of government. This diffusion of responsibility and

leadership results in the emergence of gangs who use threats to instill fear for “support,”

evidenced by the words “fought down the barrel of a gun.”

Additionally, the author uses the words, “Leaving aside what it means for the future of a

young democracy” to show the inescapable downward spiral that will continue to exist in a

corrupt society. Without the emergence of a strong leader to oppose the violent gangs, these

groups will continue to terrorize voters, persisting with the actions that provide them with their

money and power. However, the materialization of a democratic presence will result in the

foundation of its principles. While the beginnings will be challenging, democratic ideologies

will be instilled within citizens and their representatives to, at the very least, pose a serious threat

to corrupt gangs and even more unethical governments.

This exploitation is further evidenced when Ghazvinian references the Niger Delta

People’s Volunteer Force, or NDPVF, one of the many armed gangs that dominate and corrupt

African governments. The NDPVF, led by Mujahid Dokubo Asari, is a lethal force within

Nigeria, and one that the government tries to contain through compromise, appeasement, and

monetary incentive. “After days of being chased through the creeks by Nigerian soldiers, Asari

and his boys were suddenly given a large amount of money and told they were free to go, as long

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as they agreed to behave themselves and stop threatening the oil supply to the outside world”

(pg. 56). Due to the lack of power in government, leaders must maintain peace between

themselves and gangs, as opposed to eliminating their force through laws or regulations.

Without definitive and enforceable policies, this is merely all the government can strive for-- a

balance between government and violent gangs. One aspect that further complicates the

situation is the relationship between the African governments and large oil companies. These

companies, without much restriction, construct large industrial facilities and chemical plants

within Africa to extract oil from the area. The powerless governments do not have the

capabilities and resources to stop, or even limit them, resulting in large profits by the oil

companies and diminished resources for the state. Although this relationship is inequitable and

exploitative, it is something that the African governments let happen because of their lack of

authority. However corrupt and imbalanced this relationship may be, it is one of the few stable

relationships that Africa has, providing, although minimal, jobs and a stability that rivals

authoritative gangs.

Jackson and Rosberg further illustrate Africa’s corruption in their scholarly piece, “Why

Africa’s Weak States Persist: The Empirical and the Juridical in Statehood. “It has been

estimated that as much as 60 percent of the annual national budget is misappropriated by the

governing elite” (pg. 10). This quote further speaks to the lack of accountability within

government. Through violence, governing elites are profiting off payments by citizens to the

government. Sixty percent of the annual budget is a staggering portion of funds that is being

stolen. Regardless of how efficient and effective other aspects of government may be, this can

easily collapse a state. Democracy starts with the trust of its people, which is absent due to

government corruption and the exploitation of resources. In order to conquer these evils, there

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must be an emergence of international power. Through international and democratic influence,

the global community can pressure the African governing elite in an attempt to competently

manage their economy, while limiting, or ideally eliminating corruption.

However, the mission to transform Africa starts with its own leadership. “Where African

governments have not exercised control, it has often been because no personal leader has taken

firm command; alternatively, it has been as a result of excessively arbitrary and abusive personal

rule” (pg. 7). The authors continue on to say, “A military career is sometimes a promising

avenue for political advancement; soldiers in Black Africa have become not only government

officials, but also rulers of their countries” (pg. 8). The use of the words, “have not exercised

control” further identifies the weak rule and absent initiative by governments. Oftentimes,

abusive and aggressive military leaders enforce the regulations the only way they know how—

through violence. As a result of this, to keep themselves and their families safe, citizens join the

same force that is terrorizing those close to them, the military. The military, through security

and protection, instills fear in the Nigerian people, while shaping the emerging youth to believe

in violence, not education. This results in greater authoritative power and less democratic

principles.

These authors have clearly and undoubtedly illustrated the large-scale corruption that

occurs within the African state. So, what can be done? First, part of the blame must be taken by

the international community for allowing such atrocities to occur for so long. It is imperative for

foreign governments to intervene and aid Africa’s citizens in their transformation. We must

provide them with critical resources and monetary aid, and under no circumstances should we

provide support to their military. No longer is it acceptable for western powers to blindly send

resources to Africa without knowing where they are going and to whom they are going to. To

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gain better knowledge of the situation, international powers should work with media outlets in

Africa so they are well informed about the situation and potential solutions. Second, from a

domestic prospective, there must be a serious emphasis upon education. Informing young

citizens about government and democracy will create a highly educated society that will no

longer be manipulated by government corruption. This will allow individuals to seek careers

outside of the military to support their families and ensure economic stability.

In Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “The Four Freedoms” speech, he stresses the

independence from fear and the openness of speech and expression, which are two of the biggest

challenges that are facing this African nation. Freedom of speech and freedom from fear will

allow the voices of Africa’s citizens to be heard, promoting a meaningful and constructive

discussion about the nations problems and possible solutions. This will ignite and unify the

people, and in turn foster revolution or at least significant change. With the pressure from its

own citizens who are now free to express their will, and the full-fledged backing from the

international community Africa will become free of corruption.

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