The Nexus between the Leadership Question and the Poverty Trap in Africa
This paper examines the nexus between leadership question and the increasingly persistent poverty incidence in Africa, taking into consideration the effects of globalization. It argues that the dearth of an authentic knowledge leadership that is infused with patriotism, conscience, knowledge and transformational interest with Africa as centre of its foreign policies has been the bane of socio-economic development in Africa. The paper investigates this submission by examining the issues of how Africa got into the poverty trap, the leadership challenges in relation to globalization and poverty trap. It suggests how the challenges could effect a transformation out of this poverty trap. The development of knowledge leadership, Afro-centric foreign policies, diversification of the economy, industrial entrepreneurship revolution and internal generation of development funds are some of the recommendations out of this poverty trap.
Capacity Building, Leadership Question and Drains of Corruption in Africa: A Theoretical Discourse
It is stating the obvious that corruption has posed challenges to the socio-economic development of the Third World. Corruption permeates all facets of human life as it is observed in every economy, whether developed or developing. It is disheartening to observe that in the present millennium, when development is dictated by the forces of knowledge, capacity building and utilization, information and communication technology and management, the Third World countries, especially in Africa, appear to be enmeshed deep into corruption, bad governance and crises of all kinds. At the root of these cataclysmic disorder and crises of development include corruption, leadership ineptitude in Africa, rape of democratic processes and lack of structured foundation for economic development. Other major causes of this development enigma are the failed status of these states, dependence on foreign development assistance and the rhetoric theoretical economic framework. These factors challenge the spirit of commitment, patriotism, entrepreneurship, capacity building and nationalism as they commit the people to a socio-psychological battle for survival. This paper uses some paradigms to explain this duel. It suggests a reform of government policies redirected at capacity building, knowledge economy, entrepreneurship, critical youth empowerment, revaluation of the cultural values of material acquisition, making the fight on corruption to be holistic instead of selective, adoption of good governance, accountability and pursuit of critical agenda for micro-economic stability. These are recommended to strengthen the structures for critical economic development in the Third World.
Income Distribution and Tax and Government Social Spending Policies in Developing Countries
This paper reviews income distribution in developing (and transition) countries in recent decades. On average, before-tax income distribution in developing countries is less unequal than in industrial countries. However, unlike industrial countries, developing countries in general have not been able to use tax and transfer policies effectively to reduce income inequality. During the 1980s and 1990s, many developing countries experienced an increase in income inequality. The government health care and primary and secondary education programs in developing countries are not well targeted, but their incidence tends to be progressive.