[norton]

I think we agree: "I did not say that Colonialism itself was a curse on Africa, more the consequences of colonialism being removed from Africa became a curse, as none of the colonies were prepared for independence."

It is useless to debate the original sins of colonialism, particularly since I don't consider it to have been "bad" in any current sense. It was simply what the more dynamic societies were capable of doing and might profit from during the age of exploration. Of course, once a colony is established getting rid of it becomes a whole 'nother problem.

What we should learn from is the global rush to end colonialism that left us with the tyrants and splintered societies that represent africa, parts of Asia, and the middle east today.

Deep in the hearts of western liberals I think we even worked to defeat potential good guys simply because they might have been linked with previous colonial powers [Ho, Nasser, Castro, Mandela, all had support within western elites.]

[Sthitch]

Norton,
You are wise indeed, we do agree. I was not blaming colonialism, and agree with you that in a number of cases it was a very good thing, but it was the lifting of it as they did that caused more problems than it solved. Africa needs to solve its problems, and the liberals (like Geldof) only seem to be perpetuating them.