USA Africa Dialogue Series - FW: Rwanda: An Economic Model for Africa

 

http://allafrica.com/stories/201406160199.html

Below is an enlightened but personal commentary by Professor Samuel Zalanga of Bethel university in Minnesota. 

 

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In the economic development literature, the economic model that Kurt Davis Jr. (the author of the article) is promoting is known as: "THE BEIJING CONSENSUS" which means focusing on authoritarian rule or mode of governance while promoting or focusing primarily on creating conditions for economic prosperity and development. So economic prosperity is promoted first and foremost, while liberal democracy is made secondary, or sometimes even sacrificed.

This approach is contrasted with "THE WASHINGTON CONSENSUS" which believes in simultaneous promotion of economic and political liberalization. That means promoting liberal democracy at the same time as promoting democratic reforms. 

Unfortunately, Amy Chua in her book entitled: The World on Fire, shows that the Washington consensus does not work well in many developing countries for reasons to complex to discuss here. Thus after the 2008 economic meltdown or collapse, the Beijing Consensus has become more popular among many developing countries, which is giving concern to some people in the West because it means increased Chinese global influence. And it seems like many people are satisfied with economic prosperity even if it means lacking some social and political freedoms (authoritarianism). Russian listened to the West and promoted economic and political liberalization simultaneously and that led to the collapse of Russian Empire. The two reforms do not always complement each other when implemented simultaneously.

Going by what the author is saying, most African countries would do better under authoritarian regimes that produce stability and economic prosperity and opportunities, than an infatuation with democracy like in Nigeria where 25% of the national budget is spent on the national assembly in the name of democracy. Nigeria's democracy is an exploitation racket. But can we have progressive authoritarian government in Nigeria? Will Nigerians embrace that or is the country too complex for that?

Two more quick comments on Kurt Davis Jr' piece. Economic growth is a necessary but not sufficient condition for human development. Whether economic growth in a country leads to human development or not depends on  the institutional mechanisms or arrangement in society that mediate how gains from economic growth are shared. Otherwise, growth can happen without development.

Second. the author mentioned many things that Rwanda under Kagame is doing right but he did not pay attention to education. In the long run, Rwanda can only cross the industrial divide through huge investment in education and human capital. This is what accounts by and large for the success of many Asian countries..

At least even if Rwanda is authoritarian, Kagame inspires more confidence in the world than Jonathan Goodluck. I say this not out of disrespect but as a sincere empirical observation.

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Samuel Zalanga
Department of Anthropology, Sociology & Reconciliation Studies
Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive #24
Saint Paul, MN 55112.
Office Phone: 651-638-6023