African History

S1E16 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Ivoirian Miracle

This text provides a historical biography of Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the first president of Côte d’Ivoire, tracing his trajectory from a colonial doctor to a powerful autocrat. It explores how he…

S1E15 The Guinea Mining Wars: Corruption and Resource Control

the corrupt intersection of global mining interests and authoritarian rule in Guinea, specifically regarding the Simandou iron ore deposit. It chronicles how Beny Steinmetz’s BSGR allegedly used…

S1E14 Why Ethiopia Triumphed While Liberia Was 'Mutilated' in the Scramble for Africa

Liberia and Ethiopia maintained their sovereignty while facing intense European imperialism during the Scramble for Africa. Liberia struggled against British and French territorial expropriation,…

S1E13 Africa Rewriting the Story of Civilization

This text refutes the myth that Africa required Western intervention to achieve modernity, democracy, and scientific progress. By highlighting the sophisticated checks and balances found in the…

S1E12 Botswana's Path to Inclusive Institutions

Historical journey of Botswana from a threatened protectorate to a thriving, democratic nation. It highlights how three visionary Tswana chiefs traveled to London in 1895

S1E11 Africa's Development Crisis

Africa's economic stagnation and relative failure when compared to the rapid development experienced by Asian nations since the 1960s

S1E10 The Paradox of African Resistance and Collapse

Attitudes of African leaders toward the establishment of European colonialism in the late 19th century, arguing that the overwhelming majority were vehemently opposed to losing their sovereignty.

African Corruption and Western Complicity

corruption in African governance, challenging the notion that the continent is uniquely corrupt compared to other global regions

S1E8 OAU CREATION

movement toward African unity following World War II

S1E7 Coups and Instability in Post-Colonial West Africa

autocratic rule and one-party states

post-colonial history of Africa, detailing the initial promise of independence followed by a widespread regression into autocratic rule and one-party states

Aid Corruption

The provided excerpts offer a comprehensive critique of foreign aid to African nations, arguing that it actively perpetuates corruption and undermines sustainable economic growth. The text highlights…

S1E6 Culture Hypotheses for World Inequality

the historical and contemporary patterns of global economic inequality

Extractive Institutions: Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone

how extractive political and economic institutions lead to state failure and national impoverishment

S1E3 The New Heart of Darkness

The New Heart of Darkness: Cobalt and Congo

S1E2 Africa Big Men

Africa’s Post-Independence Political Failures