Cato panel discusses radical solutions to failing African governments

The Cato Institute held a panel hosted by policy analyst Marian Tupy called “Let Failing African Governments Collapse: A Radical Solution to Underdevelopment” to discuss the negative consequences of Western aid to African nations and possible implications of ending aid.

Edward Luttwak, senior associate of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, explained African society in terms of “familism,” or loyalty and moral duty to one’s family which supersedes loyalty to the state. He said that familism prevents African citizens from having a successful government that they cooperate under at the expense of forfeiting their own interests. Luttwak also said that states are too expensive for African populations to maintain, thus governments imposed by foreign powers are unlikely to succeed.

George Ayittey, an economics professor from American University, called for a reform in Western aid to Africa, which he called “smart aid…which empowers the African people” and would include independent institutions such as media, judiciary, central bank, and armed forces and civil service.

Mauro de Lorenzo, resident fellow at American Enterprise Institute, argued that the West is presumptuous to claim that its influence can save or destroy African states. He also said that African democracies have been largely unsuccessful because they must consult with aid beneficiaries on how to spend their revenue, and lack tax revenue from their own people and thus the relationship that stems from collectively deciding how to spend it.