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News & ArtsThursday, November 19, 2009
International A Harsh Word About Malawi's Economic "Miracle"
Posted by Charles Mudede on Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 9:19 AM
BBC reports:
Malawi is one of the poorest and most densely populated countries in the world.They call this a "miracle"! This is just an indication of the decline of the IMF-imposed neoliberal polices that have done nothing but strangle the life out of underdeveloped economies for three straight decades. In Malawi's case, the state is simply resuming its role of protecting its citizens from hunger and other basic dangers. And with the bailout of major American financial institutions, it will be hard for IMF to impose the economic policies (ESAP) that no developed nation used to become developed.
Four years ago almost half its population depended on food aid from abroad for survival.
But this year, Malawi has managed to feed itself and even export some maize to hard-pressed neighbours.
This remarkable turnaround has been called the "Malawi Miracle".
If you want to see a "Malawi Miracle," then go here:
4
That was inspiring, that young man embodies perfectly the future of Africa, intelligent, intuitive, innovative, beautiful, the complete opposite of a troll like @1.
I want to know more about him, to contribute, most definitely.
I want to know more about him, to contribute, most definitely.
6
"They call this a "miracle"! This is just an indication of the decline of the IMF-imposed neoliberal polices that have done nothing but strangle the life out of underdeveloped economies for three straight decades. In Malawi's case, the state is simply resuming its role of protecting its citizens from hunger and other basic dangers. And with the bailout of major American financial institutions, it will be hard for IMF to impose the economic policies (ESAP) that no developed nation used to become developed."
sweet Charles, oh hell yeah.
@1: oh look. you're a piece of shit douchebag
sweet Charles, oh hell yeah.
@1: oh look. you're a piece of shit douchebag
10
Why can't international aid be structured to help people become self sufficient at the local level like this? This smart kid, with very few resources, built his own solution that improved the life of his household and village. I bet international aid had absolutely nothing to do with it--which is stupid. Why can't we help people help themselves rather than just pump money into countries where the majority of the funds end up in the Swiss bank accounts of the "big men"?
11
The question is: Did the people who made the World Bank policies actually believe that converting 3rd world farmers into commodity producers (rather than food producers) would help those farmers? Or were they just fixing the world to help the rich get richer?
12
@10
Because rich white people like to move to places like Africa and drive around in shiny land rovers on dirt roads and feel all adventurous & important. They're nobody at home, but they're *heroes* and saviors if they go to Africa and dole out cash and faux "help" to the "poor" poor people. They mostly do it for selfish reasons. Fact is, international aid is so prevalent because it benefits the rich whiteys most of all. Have a look closer at the situation and you'll see I'm right. Bono has his head up his ass.
Because rich white people like to move to places like Africa and drive around in shiny land rovers on dirt roads and feel all adventurous & important. They're nobody at home, but they're *heroes* and saviors if they go to Africa and dole out cash and faux "help" to the "poor" poor people. They mostly do it for selfish reasons. Fact is, international aid is so prevalent because it benefits the rich whiteys most of all. Have a look closer at the situation and you'll see I'm right. Bono has his head up his ass.
13
@12 Not all international aid is like that. My mother sold up her stuff when I was a kid and we moved to a developing county as part of an International Aid program.
She had, from memory, just over $900 when we landed, and other than what we had in our suitcases, her assets were 3 cardboard boxes of random knick-knacks stored at my uncle's.
She taught at one of the two high schools in the country. We were there for 2 years, and no... we didn't actually have a car during that time, much less a shiny land rover.
So, there you have it... middle-class white people also move to places like Africa. I've known a bunch of people outside my family as well who have gone to some really challenging places for International Aid.
There are good people out there doing good work because they actually care. Just not as many as there should be. :)
She had, from memory, just over $900 when we landed, and other than what we had in our suitcases, her assets were 3 cardboard boxes of random knick-knacks stored at my uncle's.
She taught at one of the two high schools in the country. We were there for 2 years, and no... we didn't actually have a car during that time, much less a shiny land rover.
So, there you have it... middle-class white people also move to places like Africa. I've known a bunch of people outside my family as well who have gone to some really challenging places for International Aid.
There are good people out there doing good work because they actually care. Just not as many as there should be. :)
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