News From Africa
April 2014
II. Political Causes of Poverty
Inequality
African societies are divided into the
privileged and not privileged. There is no
middle class. Inequality has its root from
Cultural differences-women and
children being treated as
subordinates
Racial inequality- Example of this
is in South African apartheid
system
Social inequality- gender
differences, race, ethnic groups and
social class
Poor Governance
This results in dictators who suppress their own citizens.
They corrupt their own nations: losing business
confidence, declining public expenditure on basic
entitlements, reducing delivery of public services,
undermining rule of law and reduce their overall
economic growth.
Centralized Power
In many African countries political power is centralized.
There is uneven distribution of political power
throughout the society. One political party, politician, or
region is responsible for decision-making and the rest of
the society have to live with the consequences.
SOME AFRICAN DICTATORS
Wayne State University Economics 6415
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