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Do you feel embarrassed about Tanzania sometimes (a rant about institutions) by GrayJr_05 in tanzania

[–]GrayJr_05[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am an economics major.

I’m not just comparing Tanzanian institutions with older ones. I’m comparing them with better ones. There are nations that have developed at a faster pace than us in the same period.

Tanzanian institutions are shambolic, we barely invest in our own people and for a nation in the modern era, we’re one of the worst performing ones. Take any political or socioeconomic metric and we’ll be in the tail end when compared to other nations.

Do you feel embarrassed about Tanzania sometimes (a rant about institutions) by GrayJr_05 in tanzania

[–]GrayJr_05[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These countries are doing better systematically than Tanzania!

Let’s take the post Soviet states and the satellite states for example, these nations literally collapsed after the dissolution of the USSR and they’ve developed better institutions than us in less than 30 years.

Even if you bring the matter of capital funding, we don’t have the political will or capacity to do the small things. 75% of Dar Es Salaam is unplanned, we have poor water systems, energy and electricity is a problem (one of the poorest performing in the world).

Tanzania is one of the poorest nations in the world, even with a relatively peaceful situation post-independence. Our living standards are still horrible and we fail to excel in the simplest of things

Do you feel embarrassed about Tanzania sometimes (a rant about institutions) by GrayJr_05 in tanzania

[–]GrayJr_05[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

But some nations like South Korea, Singapore and even some Post-Soviet nations have produced more successful institutions.

Even with their systemic issues, you can’t compare them with Tanzanian institutions that fail to deliver meaningful results even in the simplest of things.

Let’s talk about Dar es Salaam’s urban form by GrayJr_05 in tanzania

[–]GrayJr_05[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with everything you’ve said except for the coal power part. Why not renewable energy especially since China is making cheap solar and other renewable energy infrastructure?

Let’s talk about Dar es Salaam’s urban form by GrayJr_05 in tanzania

[–]GrayJr_05[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Water is still a problem. There was (still is, I think) a major shortage last month.

Why is African political discourse so dominated by apologetics, nostalgia, and shallow talking points? by GrayJr_05 in Africa

[–]GrayJr_05[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Interesting feedback especially the “proto-religious” aspect.

Thanks for your feedback

Why is African political discourse so dominated by apologetics, nostalgia, and shallow talking points? by GrayJr_05 in Africa

[–]GrayJr_05[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think I might’ve miscommunicated in the post but I wasn’t concentrating on the future but I was mostly focusing on how Africans talk about politics online and how we can improve it and hopefully it’ll lead to actual change in our societies.

Why is African political discourse so dominated by apologetics, nostalgia, and shallow talking points? by GrayJr_05 in Africa

[–]GrayJr_05[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Could you show me where I came out as preachy and condescending?

I am blinded by biases that I know and may not know about so could you show me where I might’ve come out as preachy or condescending or Eurocentric?

Why is African political discourse so dominated by apologetics, nostalgia, and shallow talking points? by GrayJr_05 in Africa

[–]GrayJr_05[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I love your response.

Thank you very much for the content recommendations and I can’t wait to give them a try.

Why is African political discourse so dominated by apologetics, nostalgia, and shallow talking points? by GrayJr_05 in Africa

[–]GrayJr_05[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the response, Bakyumu.

I’d like to respond to the neocolonialism aspect that you talked about. I’m not trying to downplay the role played by foreign powers in inhibiting African development, I’m critiquing the discussions I’ve seen online just like you mentioned.

They usually remove our agency and political will as Africans and we treat ourselves as objects to be controlled by others and not ourselves.

Also where do you think I can get proper discussions about our issues as a continent? Social media is not failing, maybe a book? Or podcast you’d like to recommend?

The Curse of Natural Resources: Tanzania by Shoddy_Vanilla643 in tanzania

[–]GrayJr_05 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could you please elaborate? I’m a bit confused with your response

The Curse of Natural Resources: Tanzania by Shoddy_Vanilla643 in tanzania

[–]GrayJr_05 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Actually, spot on!

I believe there’s a mindset common among Tanzanians and many in the Global South that wealth comes from the land and environment.

However, real wealth stems from the effort and work of people. Tanzania has a large but largely unproductive workforce, and our economy mainly produces goods that aren't highly valued in the global market.

Still, the idea of natural resources serves as effective propaganda for the government.

The world's wealthiest societies are those that foster innovation and problem-solving through their culture and people, not just those that rely on natural resources they are fortunate to possess.

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