The Bosque Boys

A scary piece, gardener, and thanks for bringing it up.

China is reaping the benefits of America's indifference toward Africa. At one time (oh, about 6 years ago...) the U.S. had a good deal of clout in Africa - the relic of 1) minimal colonial involvement; 2) Wilsonian self-determination (a popular concept with colonial resistance movements) and 3) a lot of bags of corn and rice with "USAID" stamped on them.

We've pretty much lost that - due in part to our post-9/11 foreign policy and in part to a more general neglect of African countries, although we do love a good righteous cause to get our dander up (apartheid, Rwandan genocide, Darfur at the moment.) Our current policy in Africa consists of not letting our embassies get bombed again and trying to catch the guys who did it the last time. To that end, we've got a new "strategic command" - AFRICOM (currently based in Germany...)

Post-colonial economic experiments largely went awry, the former colonial powers were waning and interested only in maintaining "free trade" (although that didn't seem to involve promoting domestic industry), the U.S. didn't get involved past what was mentioned above, so what you get is...China in Africa.

And yes, as you mentioned, they're being complete bastards in how they go about strip-mining Africa and Africans.

Maybe the song in your previous post should be revised....Chinese in the Congo....

It seems to me that Bush has paid more attention to sub-Saharan Africa than most of the presidents of my memory. Perhaps I am wrong.

Bono and Bob Geldoff give Bush his due for his African policy. I am interested in your answer to the Gardener's question.

Is the pro-Africa line just a white Euro perspective?

I agree that Bush should get credit for the actions he has taken in Sub-Saharan Africa. I still insist that the majority, if not all, of the actions and policy decisions taken by the administration in Africa are aimed solely at national "security" and counter-terrorism.

[Aside - if there's a more conveniently nebulous catch-all term than "security", I'd like to hear it]

And yes, in all of our actions in Africa we have been decidedly less dastardly than China in its actions. I expect no less.

And that's half of the point, right there. I, along with the rest of American voters, EXPECT NO LESS. As Karl Popper pointed out, the feedback process of democracy is what makes governments accountable, and ultimately, more just. China lacks such a process, and is able to get away with unjust policies, apparently externally as well as internally.

The other half of the point: From a realist, state-centric view of things, China is making the most of what few advantages there are to having a state-controlled economy. It has the ability to undertake investments in situations too risky for private firms. Coupled with the lack of democracy, it can do this is a heavy handed (i.e. evil) manner. We do not see American firms investing in Africa, because there are more lucrative and less risky markets elsewhere and the incentive structure of corporations is prejudiced toward short-term gains and increased stock profitability. States can take a more strategic view of profit.

In answer to Gardener's question, a cop out: Is there a better way to change China's economic structure than free trade? [Don't say military action. That's more of a cop-out than my non-answer.]

I don't quite understand what you're asking, Farmer.

Brilliant, as usual, MM. I am not sure that we can unilaterally change China's internal structure. I am convinced that our present course of free trade without conditions remains totally impotent to change things. If the U.S. can effect internal political change in China, then I think putting conditions that are enforced on trade with our nation is our only option. In other words, act like bastards (internally or externally) and we restrict our market to you. That, and continued commitment to superior military strength. Lacking internal limitations imposed by voters, those in power in China need externally imposed limitations. Yes, they will hate it and make a fuss. The current Chinese leadership is second generation in power. They have a huge sense of entitlement. That, and the traditional Chinese derision toward the barbarian outsiders.