Africa Unchained: The Blueprint For Africa's Future

Africa Unchained: The Blueprint for Africa's Future

Why haven't the poorest Africans been able to prosper in the twenty-first century? Celebrated economist George Ayittey thinks the answer is obvious: economic freedom was denied to them, first by foreign colonial powers and now by indigenous leaders with similarly oppressive practices. As war and conflict replaced peace, Africa's infrastructure crumbled. Instead of bemoaning the myriad difficulties facing the continent today, Ayittey boldly proposes a program of development--a way forward--for Africa. Africa Unchained investigates how Africa can modernize, build, and improve its indigenous institutions, and argues forcefully that Africa should build and expand upon traditions of free markets and free trade rather than continuing to use exploitative economic structures. The economic model here is uniquely African and takes little heed from the developed world; this is sure to be a highly controversial plan for moving Africa forward.Review"A superb analysis of the continent and its recent ordeals"--The Wall Street Journal "A controversial and thought-provoking book"--Ian Taylor, International AffairsPraise for Ayittey's Africa in Chaos:"Crucial for anyone seeking an understanding of Africa's condition . . . Read it now, before it's too late." --The Washington Times". . . robust, provocative...Ayittey takes no prisoners." --The New York Times Book Review". . . Ayittey knows Africa well...a brave and reflective book." --The Wall Street JournalBook DescriptionWhy haven't the poorest Africans been able to prosper in the twenty-first century? Celebrated economist George Ayittey thinks the answer is obvious: economic freedom was denied to them, first by foreign colonial powers and now by indigenous leaders with similarly oppressive practices. As war and conflict replaced peace, Africa's infrastructure crumbled. Instead of bemoaning the myriad difficulties facing the continent today, Ayittey boldly proposes a program of development--a way forward--for Africa. Africa Unchained investigates how Africa can modernize, build, and improve its indigenous institutions, and argues forcefully that Africa should build and expand upon traditions of free markets and free trade rather than continuing to use exploitative economic structures. The economic model here is uniquely African and takes little heed from the developed world; this is sure to be a highly controversial plan for moving Africa forward.About the AuthorGeorge Ayittey is Distinguished Economist in Residence at George Washington University. He is the author of Africa Betrayed and Africa in Chaos (both Palgrave Macmillan).