Product Description

Calderisi shows that Africa has steadily lost markets by its own mismanagement; that corrupt, dictatorial regimes have hobbled agriculture, enterprise and foreign investment; that African family values and fatalism are more destructive than tribalism; and that African leaders prey intentionally on Western guilt. Calderisi exposes the shortcomings and indulgences of foreign aid and debt relief, and proposes his own radical solutions. Drawing on many years of first hand experience, "The Trouble with Africa" highlights issues which have been ignored by Africa's leaders but have long worried ordinary Africans, diplomats, academics, business leaders, aid workers, volunteers and missionaries. It ripples with stories which only someone who has talked directly to African farmers - and heads of state - could recount.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14548 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review
"'A timely, intriguing and provocative book. The author's love of the continent shines through every line, yet his bold suggestions will raise eyebrows and provoke debate.' Baroness Lynda Chalker, former UK Secretary of State for Overseas Development 'boisterous, entertaining and highly accessible. Calderisi challenges the shibboleths of the aid industry with courage, compassion and humour. A timely and bracing read.' Michela Wrong, Author of In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz 'a blast of fresh air over a continent that has for decades been suffocating under a blanket of well-meant concern, ineffectual at best, and harmful at worst' Michael Holman, former Africa editor, Financial Times"

Business Voice, October 1, 2007 Business Voice, October 1, 2007
'In The Trouble With Africa Calderisi brings you up close to the corruption, greed and incompetence that bedevil the continent. He echoes the shocking truth put forward in recent books, that resource -- and talent-rich countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, are actually sliding backwards.'

Review
'The Trouble with Africa debunks widely held myths, and will stimulate an important, ongoing debate.'

Customer Reviews

Asking the right questions
Aid to Africa does not work. Or at least, it does not work anything like as well it has elsewhere in the world. Despite billions of dollars from donors, led by the World Bank, more Africans are poor today than ever, whether as a percentage its population or as a grim figure. Why is this? If you maintain - like Bono and Bob Geldof - that the answer to the continent's crisis is to double aid to Africa, then look out: The Trouble with Africa by Robert Calderossi will make you very cross. But do not for that reason ignore this outstanding contribution to an under-informed debate. Mr Calderossi knows what he is talking about. He has worked in the front line of the aid businesss - as one of the World Bank's all-powerful resident representatives (in Cote d'Ivoire), and as the Bank's head of public relations. And if you believe that before well-meaning observers come up with answers to Africa's crisis, they should be first asking the right questions, this seminal book, as hardhitting as it is compassionate, provides a quiverful.

An alternative way to aid Africa
This book is written by a Canadian working in international development for 30 years, predominantly in Africa. Calderisi is therefore well placed to write this critical analysis, challenging in a number of ways the understandable response of many to try and solve the problems of the continent by increasing aid. The major problem the author has to overcome from a sceptical readership is his long association with the World Bank and the accusation that his view is a thinly veiled justification of the position of that powerful organisation. However, he largely succeeds in providing a challenging, counter-cultural approach to the problems of Africa, both because his arguments are sound but also because his love and respect for the continent are so much in evidence. He refutes the belief that all Africa's problems can be laid at the door of the former colonial powers. His thesis is that much of the problem is now the fault of Africans themselves.

Despite his harsh criticisms of African countries, leaders and on occasion their people, he succeeds in enhancing the dignity of Africa and Africans by giving back responsibility. This book is timely. There is a risk that rich countries and rich people will tire of aid for Africa if results do not emerge soon from all the giving; Calderisi provides a powerful diagnosis and, even if his suggested ways forward in later chapters at times appear practically flawed, the challenges he poses provide an excellent contribution to the African debate. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone wanting an accessible understanding of the politics of aid to Africa.