Betrayal of Africa
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In the wealthy West, it's assumed that Africa is the problem and we are the solution. This timely book argues the opposite. Though couched in benevolent terms, Western policies in fact have for decades helped fuel the continent's devastating decline. Every year, far more of Africa's riches flow out to the rich world than we plough into Africa. In this systematic process of exploitation, explains author Gerald Caplan, first-world leaders work in happy harmony with African despots to wreak havoc on their nations and peoples. The Betrayal of Africa explains its historical background, the contemporary situation, and how a conflation of elements — China's bold new presence in Africa, an active and angry civil society demanding government reform, and fresh leadership — is creating the possibility for positive change. Using simple, lucid language, the book helps Western readers understand what they can do to remedy a complex, increasingly dire situation that affects us all. Children's Literature This brief summary of the history of Africa's current constellation of crises—human, economic, social, political—provides impetus for further study. By no means comprehensive, the accounts of external and internal exploitative machinations are compelling and disturbing. The author has extensive experience in Africa and cites internationally recognized individuals and documents in his expose. This volume is not for beginners unfamiliar with the African "predicament" because of the references to names and events that presuppose existing knowledge. This would make an excellent adjunct to a study of the region, using up-to-date texts and periodicals to provide the in-depth background information to elucidate a difficult topic. The author makes no effort to mask his emotional bias, arguably justifiable given the several-hundred-year history of abuse, injustice and disrespect heaped upon the greater portion of this continent and its peoples. Part of the "Groundwood Guides" series. Reviewer: Miriam Gottschalk
A Diverse Continent, a Common Predicament 7History Matters 12Portrait of a Continent 37The Great Conspiracy 59Western Policies and Africa 83The China Factor 108Changing Africa 113Africa Timeline 129Notes 132For Further Information 135Acknowledgments 138Index 139
