Stability In Niger Essay

Submitted By kenbaj571
Words: 2524
Pages: 11
Open Document
20100904-2131. 10. 5. 10. MLA. mnisik@hotmail.com. Midterm Examination.
Question 1.
Briefing on Recent Events and Prospects for short and long term stability in Niger.
Brief country overview.
Niger is an extremely poor nation, the perfect example of a ‘classical’ type of a colony. The country has a very undeveloped population. The literacy rates are among the world’s lowest. The birth rates and infant mortality rates are among the highest. The only areas that can interest foreign investors are the mining sector with Uranium being the primary product. There are certain deposits of Gold and oil. Certainly virtually all lucrative industries are owned by foreign companies (mostly French, since Niger used to be a French colony). The government is given up to 30% share maximum in certain industries (certain mines). The government is extremely corrupt and undemocratic. The country’s budget drastically depends on foreign aid and on the proceeds from the exports of uranium and other natural resources. Niger is the country where people still die from starvation. Historically the governments of Niger held on to power as long as possible until removed by a coup-d’etait of the next government which managed to convince the military on its side and organized a round of plebiscite. After getting public support in free elections the governments subsequently refused to believe that the people could change their opinions and hence oppressed the opposition, persecuted the free press, etc. The most recent coup-d’etait took place only a few weeks ago when the military junta overthrew Mamadou Tandja, who just like his predecessors came to power as a result of coup-d’etait and did not want to vacate his place after 2 terms.
Country specifics.
Niger depends heavily on the foreign aid and on the export of the raw materials that make up the major part of the country’s budget. The country does not have enough fertile soils for carry out major agricultural programs, therefore, the majority of the population depends heavily on the humanitarian aid and the exports for survival. It is for this reason one can clearly see that just about any government that comes to power in Niger can be easily manipulated from abroad. For instance, if the current government does not comply with the foreign advices, ideas and commands, the sponsors simply cut off sponsorship help to Niger, causing the local population to starve, hence to get aggressive and to overthrow the ruling regime. Surely, the mechanism is more complex than noted above, and to manipulate the Niger’s government the foreign organizations will note that the government steals the money from its people, instead of buying them food, thus causing agitation inside the nation (Bremmer, 208).
It is necessary to note that any government that comes to power in Niger does not really challenge the foreign ownership and control of the major resource fields and bases. What they do at most is open up new fields (like recently opened gold mines) on a “government gets about 25%-30% ownership and the foreigners get the rest” principle.
The population is extremely undeveloped, and uneducated, hence easily manipulated. The majority of people are illiterate; they starve and do not have access to clear water. They do not have proper medicine, legal, or government protection, but guess what? They really want democracy and the right to vote for a certain candidate. Certainly, the population is brainwashed thinking that a democratically selected candidate will definitely be another Obama or Kennedy who makes everyone in the nation happy and provides food for all. The population appears to be convinced that they should adhere to the existing laws (most of which were inherited from the French colonial law) without really questioning their effectiveness and the effect the laws have on the nation’s development and wealth. It is precisely for this reason, the population is so eager to vote in a democratic plebiscite. Since
Show More

Related Documents: Stability In Niger Essay

Techology in Counter Ied Operations Essay

children and internally displaced persons. The cumulative effect is felt across socio-economic development efforts and widens the development deficit. IED events (including suicide bombs, car bombs, set explosives, etc) significantly impact stability, security, and development of sustainable livelihoods globally. By example, cumulatively for Nigeria, Russia, Mexico, and India there were over 60,000 civilians killed or injured in 2008 and 2009. Incidents rose 20% in Russia and over 15% in India…

Words 2545 - Pages 11

Essay on Citizenship to the world

progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace. 5 a Constitutional governments have a written document stating their laws, rights and responsibilities. It must also be limited in power, follow a higher law, and have constitutional stability. Nonconstitutional governments are dictatorships and absolute monarchies. These are hard on the citizens because they don't have many rights. Totalitarian and authoritarian are the two types of nonconstitutional governments. In an authoritarian government…

Words 689 - Pages 3

UK Nigeria comparison Essay

in the two countries, UK and Nigeria. The variables chosen to analyze the situation are: government stability, infrastructure, education, natural resources and GDP per capita. At the end, a table will be enclosed to summarize the main differences. Government stability The simplest definition of a stable political system is one that survives through crises without internal warfare. Stability means also a predictable political environment, which attracts investment, both internally and from outside…

Words 1975 - Pages 8

Loyalty And Truth In Chinua Achebe's Heart Of Darkness

by Conrad in the text condemns Africans to the point of dehumanization (Achebe xlv, xlvii). These claims contain some considerable validity as assessed by the text. However, the motives behind them may have arisen because Chinua Achebe comes from Niger in Central Africa, which leads to unreliability by failing to consider counterevidence to the initial arguments. Although there is considerable evidence to support the assertion that Heart of Darkness “displays the western desire and need” to have…

Words 1963 - Pages 8

Terrorism: Terrorism And Terrorism

Introduction Terrorism has been a contested phenomenon for a very long time, the basic academic definition of terrorism by Bellany (2007) is that it is taken to be a method of employing organized force with little regard for humanitarian considerations to achieve normally politically cum religious cum warlike ends and which relies on its effectiveness on creating a pressing fear fullness in the minds of target persons for their lives or the lives of those close to them or their property. More so…

Words 1689 - Pages 7

Essay about Politics: European Union and Company

A2 Globalisation Revision Guide Key Terms and Organisations Key Terms and Definitions: * Import - To ship (commodities) into a country from abroad. * Export - To ship (commodities) to other countries or places for sale, exchange, etc. * Balance of Payments - an accounting record of all monetary transactions between a country and the rest of the world. These transactions include payments for the country's exports and imports of goods, services, financial capital, and financial transfers…

Words 8985 - Pages 36

Market Threats Essay

INTERNATIONAL MARKETING International marketing must take into account the laws of the home country and the host countries in which the firms operate. This is not risk free. Political factor is the third factor influencing foreign direct investments. International relations are influencing international marketing and vice versa. Political risks may emerge as serious barriers to Multinational companies. However, those effects are not out control of a well-trained international marketer (R.W Griffin…

Words 6047 - Pages 25

Essay about Country Research

Name: Azran Shah Abdul Razak Student ID: 900044295 Email: asab@deakin.edu.au Country of choice: Algeria 1. Executive Summary This cultural analysis report was commissioned to examine how can Algeria’s cultural background and analysis affect the Internal marketing sector. This report draw attention to how certain cultural aspects of a country can affect the way to market a product. This report reveals that Algeria is the biggest country in the…

Words 2951 - Pages 12

Energy Generation Research Paper

and that is Africa. Currently, Africa’s population stands at about one billion, with the largest increases in the poorest countries that are the least able to support them. This makes them most prone to conflicts and corruption. By having economic stability, which begins with developing an energy infrastructure, Africa could begin to break free of cycle of chronic poverty. This would however, require a global effort as well as a commitment of African leaders to see this through. It would be monumental…

Words 3579 - Pages 15

Global Midterm Review Essay

1) Traditional Economy- the decisions are made based on traditions or beliefs. Produce what’s been produced in the past. (Third world countries, poor) Positives- make high quality goods, families make decisions together. Negatives- not very practical, you don’t have a choice as to what job you want. Command Economy- government ensures everyone has a job so there is virtually no unemployment. Government makes all decisions even what you do for a living. Hires central planning agents for help. (Communist…

Words 5751 - Pages 24