Europe

[Mich the Tester]

Chimps and humans are 96% the same DNA, does that mean I have chimp in my lineage?



Just because animals on this planet share some genes does not make them the same. Are wolves the same as our dogs? What about jackals? Hyenas are they the same?

What are in your opinion the chief causes of poverty in Africa?

[darmstadt]

Corruption, War and climate (famine) are probably some of the key drivers I would assume

A bit like Eastern Europe, Central America, etc. then really

[darmstadt]

What are in your opinion the chief causes of poverty in Africa?

For starters, 18-21 century, western Europe oppression and exploitation (although you could argue that now its probably more Sino-Asian)

[The Spartan]

A bit like Eastern Europe, Central America, etc. then really

Pretty much

On the subject of aid a lot of it never gets to the people it's intended for, so why don't they do something about it instead of just throwing money at it

[Robinho]

The government causes poverty.

There's been a long history of it.

[escapeUK]

What are in your opinion the chief causes of poverty in Africa?

Because they are thousands of years behind in societal evolution. This is not a criticism or insult, its a fact. Back when the Chinese were building great empires and discovered how to make fireworks we were still living in caves. (Probably not quite, but you get the point) Ancient Romans were centuries more advanced than us, and changed our society immensely.

Different societies have evolved at different rates. There are key milestones in this, for instance. Hunter gatherer. Agriculture. Laws. Engineering. Women's rights. Abandonment of religion.

So its not a surprise that societies who have not naturally gotten to this point on their own, cant make a modern society. But sadly today we have to pretend that everyone is the same, and then pretend surprise when they are unable to make it work.


Edit:

It occurs to me that we are taking this topic massively off topic. So I apologise to the OP.

Out of Europe, because it costs millions every day which we do not have and allows hundreds of thousands of people to come here which we do not need.

[doodab]

The primary cause of poverty in Africa is a lack of access to water. By which I mean rivers and coastline, not wells. Most of it is landlocked or unnavigable. This slows societal evolution, the growth of the local economy and the growth of trade and the transfer of ideas that accompanies it.

[Troll]

The primary cause of poverty in Africa is a lack of access to water. By which I mean rivers and coastline, not wells. Most of it is landlocked or unnavigable. This slows societal evolution, the growth of the local economy and the growth of trade and the transfer of ideas that accompanies it.

So how hard is it to understand Dams and how to build them?

[doodab]

So how hard is it to understand Dams and how to build them?

How will that help you when you don't have a river to dam?

Look at the dawn of Civilisation, it mostly occurred around rivers. The industrial heartland of Europe and many of the main cities are on rivers. This is because, as well as irrigation and drinking water they provide an easy way to move goods and people around and to the coast, and because a river crossing provides a pinch point for travellers to congregate. It's a very strong link, I'd argue that it's almost impossible for a civilisation to have flourished without a river. Nearly all capital cities are either on a river or coastal.

Now, large swathes of Africa either don't have enough rainfall or it's too seasonal for rivers to run all year round, so there are no proper rivers and no civilisations developed on their banks. Where you do have a river (the Nile) you have one of the great civilisations.

There is some serious academic research backing this up, I read about it in a science magazine years ago. I'll try and find a link.

[escapeUK]

So how hard is it to understand Dams and how to build them?

Frankly my dear I dont give a damn.

But one thing is clear, the more we meddle in Africa the more people starve. Thanks Geldof.