Outsiders make two stunning observations fairly soon upon living in Tanzania: that the citizens are passive and the leadership corrupt. People of Africa want a better life for themselves, yet fail to demand it. The leaders seem to think of themselves only instead of their people.
We all, I suppose, can think of some political or economical reasons why this is so. However, cultural and other reasons also play an important part… The first thing Wangari Maathai points out is that in Africa social systems have changed with an incredibly high speed.
Within a couple of hundred years, Africa has been bleeding because of 1) the slave trade, 2) the colonialism, 3) the independence movement, 4) the various post-independence governance experiments and finally 4) the transition to a democratic, capitalist society. One system up, the other one down. Just imagine how it must feel when everything your parents told you is right, turns out to be wrong by the time you grow up. The destabilizing effects of such rapid system change on the society can be observed everywhere and include passivity and giving up the fight. People just want to be left alone and not be part of any changes anymore. After all, which change has brought them well-being, which promises have turned out to be true? None so far.
"Outsiders make two stunning observations fairly soon upon living in Tanzania: that the citizens are passive and the leadership corrupt. "
AntwortenLöschen... warum erinnert mich dieser Satz auch ein bisschen an Österreich
Thank you both for the interesting blog!
AntwortenLöschenIn Austria we may belive the change for the better by voting at elections, but are disappointed if there is actually no progress.
No wonder why hardly any Austrian is interested in politics. It seems that also in our country it's easier to leave things over to somebody else instead of contributing to the benefit for others...