Naked Science Forum

General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: smart on 30/08/2017 11:18:10

Title: Should Africa unite?
Post by: smart on 30/08/2017 11:18:10
What do you think about the possibility of Africa to become a unified nation?
Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: smart on 01/09/2017 01:32:08
Anyone is willing to risk an intelligent answer to this question? Is it just a dream to believe Africa can become a unified nation?

 
Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: chris on 02/09/2017 20:18:46
There are 54 countries in Africa and the whole continent is enormous. We can't even hold Europe together; what makes you think anyone would sign up for a united Africa?
Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: Bored chemist on 03/09/2017 09:10:07
To be fair, the question isn't "can Africa unite?" to which I suspect the answer is not, but "should Africa unite?" to which, I think, the answer is "Why stop at Africa? shouldn't the whole world unite and stop wasting resources fighting?".
Not that I see it happening any time soon.
"Will it...?" and "should it...?"  are very different questions.
Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: smart on 03/09/2017 10:18:24
To be fair, the question isn't "can Africa unite?" to which I suspect the answer is not, but "should Africa unite?" to which, I think, the answer is "Why stop at Africa? shouldn't the whole world unite and stop wasting resources fighting?".
Not that I see it happening any time soon.
"Will it...?" and "should it...?"  are very different questions.

The world is already united in humanity. The problem is that humanity is splitted into distinct
nationalities and borders. A united Africa could help fighting terrorism and hunger with more resources sharing.


Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: alancalverd on 03/09/2017 13:51:12
For as long as priests and politicians are considered more important than people, there is no hope for the species.
Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: evan_au on 03/09/2017 15:56:55
There is an African Economic Union, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Economic_Community

Maybe it will be as successful in uniting 50+ countries as the European Economic Community was in uniting 28 countries?
...or is that nearly down to 27, now?
Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: evan_au on 04/09/2017 06:32:10
The countries in the European Union are fairly democratic, where the head of state is subject to the wishes of the people, and already has constrained authority, so it is not a big step to also be subject to laws of the EU.

However, most countries in Africa were colonies of some European country, at some point in their history. The rule was autocratic and often brutal. Unfortunately, in many cases, after the colonies gained their independence, they carried on government in the manner to which they were accustomed - autocratic, and often brutal.

The autocratic rulers in many of today's African countries are not comfortable with any constraints on their power, so the idea of common laws to rule them all would seem to be a major step.

I notice that some of Islamic states in north Africa have stayed out of African union organisations, as they have all implemented some version of Sharia law, and would be uncomfortable with moving away from that position.
Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: smart on 09/09/2017 10:33:23
I'm definitely not an advocate of global governments like the European Union. But I think Africa should become a unified nation to remove the implicit borders and allow democracy to reflect the values of the whole African people. A global African currency could also be used to decrease taxation and promote the economy of Africa.
Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: Yahya on 15/09/2017 17:36:59
individual African countries can not deal with their local economical issues(most countries), rebellion(most countries), civil wars(Rwanda) , poverty , famine(Somalia), conflict on government(Kenya), conflict on lands(Egypt and Sudan),  country division ( Sudan and South Sudan) , if they can't handle their Issues individually , how they would handle it as a union?
countries can't agree if there are issues, union is impossible if there was contrast between countries , Britain is an example , they left the EU regarding the issue of immigration.
Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: smart on 15/09/2017 18:04:15
individual African countries can not deal with their local economical issues(most countries), rebellion(most countries), civil wars(Rwanda) , poverty , famine(Somalia), conflict on government(Kenya), conflict on lands(Egypt and Sudan),  country division ( Sudan and South Sudan) , if they can't handle their Issues individually , how they would handle it as a union?

Hi Yahya,

Thanks for your input. :)

The issues in Africa could be managed by a African federation: Unlike the EU, a African federation could remove the borders and let countries handle region-specific issues independently. 

Best Regards,

tkadm30

Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: Yahya on 15/09/2017 18:21:52
you're welcome :)
Title: Re: Should Africa unite?
Post by: helter on 26/09/2017 08:17:35
With so much conflict among countries for decades, the chance is very slim..