Underdevelopment: Major Cause of Insecurity in West Africa
Abstract
The stability of a country in terms of physical security is necessary for economic development when considered within the context of inter-state rivalry and competition. However the relationship between security and development reverses when the sources of insecurity emanate from within the borders of a country. Since the demise of communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union as a super power, there has been an increase in the spread of democracy as the preferred form of governance in most parts of the world. With the absence of super power rivalry, African Governments that relied on Cold War politics to exploit their people no longer had the protection and wherewithal to perpetrate their continued stay in power amidst popular movement for democratic reform. In the past these governments labeled genuine internal demands for change as either communist or capitalist inspired within the context of cold war politics and sometimes received open support from either the Eastern or Western bloc countries to reinforce their hold on power. For example France, during the cold war period had a very high-profile military role in its former colonies in Africa which in no small way helped in propping up leaders of those countries. It must however be mentioned that until the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire, France has systematically reduced its military presence in Africa since the end of the cold war, and instead has aimed at diversifying its commercial relations in Africa beyond its colonies. While the end of the cold war saw a dramatic decline in inter-state conflicts, the number of civil wars increased. This is especially true in the poor regions of the world; particularly Africa as attention of ordinary people shifted more towards seeking economic, social, political and environmental conditions that will lead to improvement in their lives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 03, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA431982
Entities
People
- Austin A. Apogan-yella
Organizations
- United States Army War College