Neocolonialism

"Neo-colonialism is... the worst form of imperialism. For those who practise it, it means power without responsibility and for those who suffer from it, it means exploitation without redress. In the days of old-fashioned colonialism, the imperial power had at least to explain and justify at home the actions it was taking abroad. In the colony those who served the ruling imperial power could at least look to its protection against any violent move by their opponents. With neo-colonialism neither is the case."
-Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana post-independence.

Neocolonialism is a loose term which defines the economic and political relationships between newly independent countries, which had been colonies, and their former countries of rule. As we saw in King Leopold's Ghost and Heart of Darkness, Africa was literally robbed of not only its valuable natural resources, but also of its labor force, and essentially its independence. Pre-colonization, African tribes used bartering and trading instead of any real currency, like dollars or pounds. That all changed during their period of colonization. And since all their possessions had become obsolete, it would be hard to revert back to their former lifestyle (or, more appropriately, their former culture.)

Many scholars would agree with Nkrumah in his accusation that "neocolonialism is the worst form of imperialis." In fact, it doesn't take a scholar to draw that conclusion. As we learned in class on Tuesday, the only roads and railroads lead to the coast, as opposed to linking the country together. This symbolizes not only the economical connection between African countries and their former rulers, but also the colonizing countries' refusal to invest money in developing new roads and railroads. They are also dependent on European countries for phone service. Not to mention the entire tribal culture of Africa has been completely obliterated. Yes, there are still tribes in modern-day Africa who still cling to their traditional tribal values and practices. But they are the ones barely surviving on less than a dollar a day. It is just not practical anymore, but how fair is it that they should have to give up their anscestral culture just because Europe ruined them?

Perhaps if the former colonizers would lend real a hand, Africa would be better off. Sure, you hear about missionary and humanitarian efforts in Africa all the time, but it's nothing compared to all the bad that occurred in that same country. It's like a big slap in the face from Europe - "Now that you are no longer our colony, we will not try to undo the damage we have done."