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I have to agree with him on the legacy of Colonialism point. There are a number of issues caused by colonialism, the most important are the unnatural borders that it produced. The European powers created countries that split tribes, and also included peoples that hated one another. This allowed for the second point to occur (corrupt leaders -- I prefer despots). They also did not build many roads, hospitals, or bring the rule of law. In most cases, the only roads that were built were from the ports to the mines, or fields. The medicine was only in the cities, and there were no schools for the native population. The way that the European powers treated Africa was horrendous, and the worst of the lot were Germany, France and Belgium. No of these countries did much in the way of preparing the former colonies for independence, and Belgium and Germany have completely turned their back on their former lands.

Yeah, look at how Americans suffer because the artificial nation of Canada denies them their natural line of expansion to Alaska, how the unnatural borders of America's states have led to constant warfare, and the way that the post-colonian political settlement of 1787 forced the different cultures of North and South to live together. There are also the great deserts and terrible extremes of climate on the American continent; rivers like the Colorado and Snake that divide but are useless for navigation, with many other rivers prone to devastating floods; endemic diseases like yellow fever, malaria, smallpox, and cholera; waves of desperate refugees that do not assimilate; constant religious, ethnic, and tribal strife.

Oh, wait a minute, that doesn't really describe America, does it?

Odd borders are no burden to the American political system, and the North and South fought a brutal war but then made peace and took it to heart. Climate has been tamed by tremendous investment in housing and public infrastructure. Deserts were not just crossed but have been made habitable. Rivers have been bridged for the sake of commerce and dammed and leveed for flood control, irrigation, and electricity. Formerly endemic diseases have been conquered. Massive waves of immigrants and refugees have been or are being assimilated and made into Americans in full. Religious and ethnic strife is somehow less here than anywhere else in the world, with tribal strife so utterly absent as to be inconceivable.

Americans are extraordinarily fortunate, but our fortune is of our own making, stemming from a reformist, freedom-loving strain of European political thinking and a practical Christianity that emphasizes good character, individual responsibility, and civic virtue. Those priceless American advantages can be copied by Africa and anyone one who wants to, but for most Africans, that is impossible because of Africa's intellectual and political culture. It would mean putting aside their begging bowls, their perennial excuse mongering, their tribalism, their endemic brutality and corruption, and their primitive religious beliefs.

No, no, its is far better and easier for Africans to blame colonialism and the West. Of course, Africans looted and neglected the productive assets that European colonialists built. Africans let their political class steal aid from them -- and then celebrate the Big Men who get rich from pervasive corruption and brutalize them in order to stay in power. No, Africa will remain as it is for many decades to come. Excuses are always easier than changing one's culture and behavior.

OK, so "the worst of the lot were Germany, France and Belgium" gives a pass to Portugal, Spain, Italy, and G.B.
Of course both Spain and Germany raised strong support from local nationals during two world wars and the UK left behind successes as well as failures.

Great Britain left no great support base behind in the United States and Spain left none behind in Mexico. You are invited to explain why these instances divert from the 'colonial curse' left upon the African continent.

To kingsurfer - hit the "spell" button, it works for me.