What are the factors that classify as good news in Africa according to Radelet?

By Rachel Brunts

a)         Good news can be classified in many ways. Especially when emphasizing the factors that generate good news the answer becomes more challenging and possibly arguable. I believe Steven Radelet in Emerging Africa – How 17 Countries are Leading the Way describes Africa’s past historical events (good and bad) as the factors leading to good news in Africa. More specifically, the factors of the economic crisis, political protests, and government reform to democracy. While not all of these events are positive factors in Africa, they all can be classified as good news in Africa.

            For example, Radelet’s Chapter 2, he explains the detailed snowball effect starting during the austerity of Africa’s government and the economic crisis. Creating a peak in political protests in 1991; which pushed a government response in 1992 reforming civil liberties. Thereafter, leading to competitive political elections and African governments soon began to allow greater political rights. All in all, resulting in democracy.

            I believe these factors to be the turning point for positive growth in Africa. It a little funny to state that I would classify the complete and udder downfall of the African society would be such good news, but I believe it. Since the austerity government had nothing due to bankruptcy, they had no power over the people. Radelet quotes, “Authoritarian governments appear to have fallen not because they face more unrest but because they were unable to respond to it”. This lack of democratized power allowed counties to make their own choices and if ran responsibly, let their people live freely.

b) Explore the Millennium Villages  http://millenniumvillages.org/the-villages/ Find retrospectives and critical views. And address the most urgent task eradicating poverty which according to Jeffrey Sachs is the greatest global challenge