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And The Rich Shall Get Richer: What About the Poor?

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The recent catastrophic earthquake which rocked Haiti has exposed one of the weaknesses of modern civilization; the failure to narrow the gap between rich and poor countries. Haiti is a country which has languished at the bottom of the ladder using any yardstick which measures economic and human development. During the period of struggle being experienced by Haiti its regional and international counterparts have failed to advance its economic and other infrastructural development.

Yesterday in the news reference was made to the richer nations (G8) failing to honour pledges made at the 2005 Gleneagles Summit recorded in the Gleneagles Agreement. Total aid pledged was $107bn (£68bn) in 2010 against 2005 pledged of $128bn, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has forecast. A recent study released by the OECD has tabulated the shortfall in pledges at 21 billion dollars. Countries expected to be most affected by the shortfall are those located on the African continent. As much as we hate to write it Blacks and non-Whites represent the bulk of the population of Africa.

Is it unreasonable to link the economic stagnation which exist in the world to race?

The inability of Africa to lift itself from the economic pit has not prevented the USA, China and other developed countries from exploiting the natural resources of that continent which can be found in abundance.

G8 Heads of State committed to doubling aid to Africa and to ramping up overall aid levels to all developing countries to 50 billion dollars a year by 2010. Several countries set a timetable for reaching the GDP 0.7 target (all developed countries offering .7% of their GDP for development in poor countries), with one of the statements even offering a detailed table with commitments. But the U.S., Canada and Japan failed to commit to such a target – The 2005 G8 Meeting

It should be apparent to developing countries that the current system of distributing aid and other financial help makes us addicted to handouts from G8 countries. In our region we have Jamaica as a good example of a country 30+ years later still reeling from the clutches of the IMF. In recent weeks we have read that the cycle maybe about to be repeated.

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15 responses to “And The Rich Shall Get Richer: What About the Poor?”

  1. zion1971 Avatar
    zion1971

    Africa needs more trade, governance, democracy, leadership and less tribalism. More aid wont solve Africa’s problem but make them become permanent beggars and propping up dictators. Africa needs a new breed of leaders who are willing to untether themselves from the chain of tribalism, paternalism, nepotism and corruption.

    After 50 years of independence starting with Ghana to Namibia( in 1993) all this resource rich continent have bequeathed to its populace is poverty, war and misery. These leaders have highjacked the treasury of their state for themslves and their lackeys. Point In case Equatorial Guinea. The only Spanish speaking west african country with less than one million, produce per capita one of the highest GDP on the continent because of its oil wealth yet 80% of the people live on less than $1.00 per day.Has been ruled by a dictator for over 30 years who is one of the richest head of state. Next door to him is the country Gabon same story for over 40 years. Why are African leaders seem to think they must rule for life? Is this a cultural trait that is typical of the village chief? I blame the founding fathers on the continent from Nkhumah, Kenyatta, Nyere, Senghor, Ture, Houphet etc. They didnot set a good example as statesmen everybody appointed themselves President for life.

    In Africa there are a lot of countries that are worst off today than when they were crown colonies. Nigeria comes to mind.The only exception to Africa’s cycle of instablability and mismanagement is Bostwana, Namibia and South Africa.

    Its not that Africans have a monopoly on corruption, tribalism, or are warmongers but the societies lacked the social instituion and respect for laws and justice and all that essential ingredient that define a modern state. That is why most of them are failed states.Until they fix their problem the Aid solution is a waste of time.

  2. zion1971 Avatar
    zion1971

    Jamaica is exhibit A of what can happen to a country with so much potential but because of years of economic mismanagement the chicken are finally coming home to roost.The IMF agreement is just a tip of the problem.Those funds are just for balace of payment support.It wil take the jamaicans another generation just to pay off the US$ 12 billion dollar debt and we are not even talking about the other contigent liabilities. I donot envy PM Golding at all.

  3. David Avatar
    David

    Some may question how the Mossad’s alleged involvement in the assassination of a Hamas person is relevant. The same decision making and hypocrisy touches every thing. Have we heard this decision in Barbados? Of course not!

    Follow the story.

  4. The People's Democratic Congress Avatar
    The People’s Democratic Congress

    Although it is a regional news story coming out of St. Kitts and Nevis, it is a disgrace that out of all the news stories in the Barbados Advocate of Friday, February 19, 2010, the most important of them was placed in the regional news section on page 19, and NOT on the Front Page of this Friday issue of the Barbados Advocate. What unnecessary selfishness and insularity!!!

    For, so crucial is this particular information coming out of St. Kitts and Nevis, that it should have been placed on the Front Page, nevermind that it is a regional news story, and nevermind that the subject matter is nothing new.

    But, what this story does show are the continual outrageous attempts by OECD countries to trample on the sovereignty of many independent developing countries in this Caribbean and elsewhere and to have them submit to their own oppressive and bullying tactics.

    Indeed, this is another time for many countries and their citizens within the region to be coming together more seriously than ever before on such crucial matters and even if some think that they have concluded on certain things international there is nearly always the scope for agreement and disagreement over such things and therefore garnering regional support for such is critical and is so for some other matters of mutual interest, and this is what must be reflected or promoted in the Barbados Advocate and in many other local and regional media via giving the greatest prominence and support possible against these kinds of unrighteous attacks.

    That the hellish OECD, which stands for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, is still about targetting countries which they so wrongly falsely label as TAX HAVENS, is clearly indicative of many of their member countries’ unity on these kinds of fundamental matters which they falsely see as threatening their own survival. Well, even though actions of the French ( described in the particular new story ) do show disuity among them over certain issues ( timing of enforcing action etc.) related to dealing with companies that are based within their territories that are transferring their headquarters elsewhere due to the attraction of lower TAXATION in other countries – BUT certainly NOT disunity on the matter of the effects of so-called harmful tax competition.

    But if the OECD is showing so much unity of purpose why cant we in the CARICOM subregion on such matters?

    Of course, any such actions by OECD member countries are reminders to us – in the PDC – of every bit of their intentions to recolonized many of the affairs of these countries – many of which did secure independence status in the 1960s and 70s.

    But what has us more agitated is that many of these so-called political leaders of these independent developing countries seem nearly always prepared to capitulate to the demands of these OECD countries rather than to consistently stand up to them and tell them that the countries they help manage are no longer colonies of their once vast but oppressive and inhuman empires, and furthermore that they and we – the peoples of these independent states – will NOT be part of their recolonization schemes.

    Too, what is even just as bad as these leaders outright capitulation to OECD demands are cases where a few of these same leaders at first seem to display courage in standing up to the appalling behaviour of the OECD, but NOT based on the real reasons for the OECD’s ill-directed and unwarranted and unprovoked aggression and hostility, but based on many peripheralities like their countries being placed on particular listings – grey listings, rather than white listing ( such absolute divide and rule foolishness that our damn so-called leaders are still tolerating); like whether they have provided enough information on companies that are based in OECD countries BUT that have transferred their headquarters to their jurisdictions for tax purposes; like whether OR NOT their respective banking laws are compliant with OECD standards or demands or are less secretive; and like whether or not they have been transparent enough in providing information to the OECD on potential money laundering activities; but then and only then for them to be later seen to be eventually capitulating to this same OECD/same OECD countries, and on the basis of some of the same peripheralities – with liltle changing therefore – and once their countries are threatened with being listed by the OCED/ the Paris Club as, say, uncooperative TAX HAVENS, and are threatened with sanctions by the OECD.

    What a nightmare!! But this business of their standing up to the OECD on the substance of the reasons for its aggression and hostility towards their countries is a no no. For, they, like the OECD, are about continuing to wickedly TAX the incomes of the relevant people, businesses and others in their own jurisdictions.

    Otherwise said then it is a evil wicked struggle between them and the OECD over who gets what TAXES ( stolen incomes), where, when, and how. And obviously, the stronger will prevail on the greater differences on the same basic argument. We surely sympathize with the ordinary peoples of these countries who themselves must get up and tell their leaders in the OECD, in the Caricom region and elsewhere where to get off as it relates to TAXATION and TAXATION matters!!

    For us – the PDC – though, let us say we were at the helm of government in this country at this time, we would have to be telling the OECD in clear terms for them to understand that as a government we would NOT be tolerating their bullying and attempting to trample on our sovereignty on issues of TAXATION. Furthermore, that we would already have started the process of abolishing all TAXATION in this country – thus, that we would already have started the process of stopping the state from wickedly stealing from incomes of peoples, businesses and others in our country and that we are getting other CARICOM member states, G 77 countries and others to understand the good of doing such for their citizens and for their countries and how we would be of great examples for them to follow in doing so. Take it or leave!!!

    Anyhow, finally, here is just the caption and the beginning of the story referred to above in the Barbados Advocate.

    Excusez-moi?: Douglas blasts French over blacklist

    Basseterre, St. Kitts – St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas has blasted the French Government as acting “out of turn and prematurely” by including this twin island federation on a list of jurisdictions that it considers to be “uncooperative tax havens”.

    Earlier this week, France named 18 nations as being uncooperative tax havens and threatened to impose higher taxes on French companies that have operations in these jurisdictions.

    “We think that France has acted out of turn and it has acted prematurely against the commitment that was made with the OECD ( Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ) countries that March 2010 would have been the dead line for any punitive action to be taken, ” said Dr. Douglas.

    St. Kitts and Nevis, along with several other Caribbean countries, was placed on a “grey” list of jurisdictions that had “committed to the internationally agreed tax standard, but have not yet substantially implemented”
    Taken from the Barbados Advocate, Friday, February 19, 2010.

    So, down with the damned DLP and the blasted BLP!!!

    PDC

  5. Zoe Avatar
    Zoe

    What are the historic reasons that caused Jamaica 30 + years ago, to have to resort to IMF bail-out financing?

    What, or who was it, 30+ years ago, that caused vast amounts of wealth to pick-up and leave Jamaica, thereby draining so much of its industrial, commercial, manufacturing resources, WHO was it that created this for Jamaica?

    Why is it that in Africa, so many of their Black leaders, (Dictators!) are just interested in their personal comfort, and grandious life styles? I thought it was just white tyrants who got away with this?

    The ‘Colour’ of a man’s skin, has nothing to do with greed, as SIN knows NO COLOUR!

  6. zion1971 Avatar
    zion1971

    @ZOE

    Jamaica is a country like most caribbean states that is economically controlled by the “brownings” , a few whites, syrians and jews . In jamaica in the 80’s they come to be known as the 21 family.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    @Zoe

    Relax!

    The gist of this article is about how the system (financial) is stacked against developing countries. A good example for you is Haiti. Do you think there is a country who qualifies for debt forgiveness more than Haiti? Why is it the IMF and IADB are still in wait mode regarding debt forgiveness?

  8. Technician Avatar
    Technician

    Good luck with trying to get Zoe to look at this from any other perspective.
    Even more luck with him trying to relax, right now he is there frothing, waiting to unleash on this thread….lets see!!

  9. kiki Avatar
    kiki

    ᐉLife is not just about money and greed
    blessed is the man who get up and fight
    blessed is the man who fight for his right

    ᐉ Tribute To Steve Biko :
    Since his death in police custody, he has been called a martyr of the anti-apartheid movement.
    While living, his writings and activism attempted to empower black people, and he was famous for his slogan “black is beautiful”, which he described as meaning: “man, you are okay as you are, begin to look upon yourself as a human being”

    ᐉ Mandela:
    ‘Invictus’ Trailer

  10. Zoe Avatar
    Zoe

    @Zion1971, One would think that the majority of Jamaicans circa 1980s, would have welcomed the collective “brownings” halling-up anchor, and leaving Jamaica, as Manley was about to institute Castro style socialism and *ruin* the country, which he did anway!

    @David, Most certainly, Haiti is No.1 on the list for debt forgiveness from the IMF and the IADB; but, we all know the sinister agenda of the IMF, once it gets its tenticles around your neck, it will use that stronghold, to strangle you into the format of the ‘World Order’ One World Government, plan and stratergy.

    Manley did a wonderful job in courting with Castro, which just hastened the failure of the Jamaician economy!

    Who is now going to pass-the-buck and blame who for the mess that Jamaica is in?

    Will it be Manley, OR, the ‘brownings’?

  11. David Avatar
    David

    Manley did try his brand of socialism on Jamaica which went South. Didn’t Owen Arthur advise his government for awhile during that period? No doubt Arthur would have learnt from the experience to the benefit of Barbados.

  12. Zoe Avatar
    Zoe

    @David, I have no idea what was Arthur’s input, re Manley’s turn-about in going the socialist direction, at that time!

    Has there ever been any knowledge, re what Arthur advised Manley on? Or, is it just conjecture and speculation?

    Because Arthur was there in Jamaica at the time, advising Manley, does not necessarily mean, it was in the direction that Manley eventually took!

    I don’t know, just asking!

  13. zion1971 Avatar
    zion1971

    @Zoe. To be fair the whole unmaking of the jamica economy is not 100% made by Mr Manley economic poilcies. Most LDCs and developing countries in the 70s were experimenting with some sort of democratic socialism behind the the cold war backdrop.Manley chooses to follow Castro to the mountain top and he paid a heavy price with the help of the CIA and the Jamaican Business Class.They migrated in droves. Against this upheaval was the high oil price and the collapse of the bauxite industry its largest source of foreign exchange.This marked the country first stand by agreement with the IMF .

    They say that a counry deserve the leadership they vote for and jamaica is no exception. The majority of the populace internalise corruption as a way of life, murder is almost a national past time, Only 1% of the registered company pays 70% of the taxes , and the social indices aint fair much better. 70% of the family structure is headed by one parent and 25% of the population are squatters.

    All these makings are due to poor leadership and a populace that celebrate mediocrity and indiscipline.

  14. Global Voices Online » Barbados, Haiti: The Widening Gap

    […] Barbados Underground says that “the recent catastrophic earthquake which rocked Haiti has exposed one of the weaknesses of modern civilization; the failure to narrow the gap between rich and poor countries.” Cancel this reply […]

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    […] I though this article from Barbados was interesting in the light of that comment. We should never forget that wealth somewhere is very often (very, very often) connected to, or […]

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