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Reflections on Blair: The African Chapter
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
From the Beeb
An interesting article on the legacy of Blairs foreign policy in Africa, from four different correspondents. I bring this to the attention of board members because, in this period completely overshadowed by events in the middle east, we sometimes are in danger of losing sight of other foreign policy elements during the Blair reign.
My opinion; broadly speaking I think that (with the notable exception of the Sierra Leone intervention) we will look back on this as a period of missed opportunities, but also the affirmation of Britain's place in the world order.
Though full of ideals, hopeful speeches and initiatives, my of the aspirations of the outgoing Prime Minister, I believe, were simply too ambitious for him to achieve without serious backing from the United States. This backing, particularly in relation to Africa and developing nations, was never there in the sense that Blair thought it might be. His influence on Washington, as we have seen, was never as strong as he hoped.
The great triumph for peace, of the New Labour government, if I had to pick one, would be Northern Ireland. In 1984 the IRA nearly succeeded in wiping out the elected government of this country. Now, there weapons are said to be beyond use. It would be interesting to hear reflections from the Irish contingent on this particular point.
Ultimately however, it will come down to Iraq. Where ever history goes next, it is certain that future generations will remember that Blair and Bush took us there.
An interesting article on the legacy of Blairs foreign policy in Africa, from four different correspondents. I bring this to the attention of board members because, in this period completely overshadowed by events in the middle east, we sometimes are in danger of losing sight of other foreign policy elements during the Blair reign.
My opinion; broadly speaking I think that (with the notable exception of the Sierra Leone intervention) we will look back on this as a period of missed opportunities, but also the affirmation of Britain's place in the world order.
Though full of ideals, hopeful speeches and initiatives, my of the aspirations of the outgoing Prime Minister, I believe, were simply too ambitious for him to achieve without serious backing from the United States. This backing, particularly in relation to Africa and developing nations, was never there in the sense that Blair thought it might be. His influence on Washington, as we have seen, was never as strong as he hoped.
The great triumph for peace, of the New Labour government, if I had to pick one, would be Northern Ireland. In 1984 the IRA nearly succeeded in wiping out the elected government of this country. Now, there weapons are said to be beyond use. It would be interesting to hear reflections from the Irish contingent on this particular point.
Ultimately however, it will come down to Iraq. Where ever history goes next, it is certain that future generations will remember that Blair and Bush took us there.
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Comments
I reckon that Africans are less intelligent that other races. Think about it. Black Africa has never had a technologically advanced civilisation.
I agree that there have been countless missed opportunities. There has also been no end of posturing and spin from this shameless politician on the subject of Africa either. Please could you elaborate on that?
Not quite that simple.
1) IQ isn't just intelligence - it also covers education and has a cultural bias.
2) The book on which your basing your claim is actually based on IQ scores from the US, not Africa.
3) Even if the difference is there its very, very marginal. There's a greater average IQ differential between siblings than between whites and blacks...
If you ignore slavery, loans, raping of it's mineral weath etc...
Well, I guess you had to push things too far eventually. Huge breach of the rules there Mr Toth, you should assume a ban will be heading your way...
Unless you can back that up with a pretty good reason, natch
Reaffirmation of our lowly place?
Of course it's missed opportunities. Too many lobbyists to prevent that.
Standing on the shoulders of giants there, me thinks.
John major deserves more credit for that one than Blair does. IMHO.
No, I'm saying they are less intelligent.
Numerous studies have shown a difference in IQ between whites and blacks.
I can think of one, and it has been long discredited as the worthless load of bollocks it was.
Fuck off with your trolling elsewhere eh?
If you believe intelligence can be measured by IQ alone then you perhaps should be grouped with the Africans you have such low concept of in the intelligence table.
Because it shows that blacks could only occupy lower positions in society.
Then why do blacks score lower than whites?
Because the IQ test is designed for the Western, first world mind.
It is not a valid or comprehensive way to assert somebody's intelligence. As you probably know but choose to ignore.
Because of societal and cultural factors (education, class biased use of language - eg using words more likely to be heard in middle-class rather than working class homes).
Also IQ is a poor reflection of working intelligence. people with high IQs may be great at jigsaw puzzles, but it doesn't mean that they can chair a meeting or design an advertising campaign etc
Why?
All blacks or do some score higher?
quite
I read an article a while ago suggesting that a sizable chunk of the people there actually want us to come back and run the country because their leaders are always crap. Though I dont think that tells you anything specific about black/white relations, just about how crap their leaders have been.
Yes, because the highest and most difficult jobs require the most intelligence. You seriously think it takes as much intelligence to be a sweet sweeper than a rocket scientist?
How so?
Can you back this up?
Puzzles, shapes, problems, questions, equations and situations the Western mind is far more exposed to in every day life than your average African.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IQ_test#Criticism
The guy is a fruit cake, and you're a racist bastard. Everyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that IQ tests are based on experience and culture, not true intelligence.
I'm sure an African tribesman would be able to run rings around you when asked to hunt a lion or locate a source of water.
I bet noone here knows much about nuclear-fission or how an engine works, despite them both being commonplace and hallmarks of the Western world, does that make us idiots?
:wave:
No but black people have less opportunity to be them.
I suspect it depends on the country - its probably more popular in Sierra Leona (where a small amount of British soldiers brought peace where the UN and Government had failed) than it is in S.Africa where they're still suffering the after effects of apartheid
Of course, I doubt you'd find all that many people in SA who would want the Brits ruling them again, even if inequality has got greater since the end of apartheid.
Things are starting to slip out of control again however, as far as I am aware.
Well Charles Taylor is being tried in the Hague because they thought a trial there may kick things off again, that doesnt suggest a stable country at ease with itself.
Salvery ended a long long time ago, they need to get over it, and the loans, well if i was to take out a loan i couldn’t then complain about paying it back could i? why should they?
mineral weath is just a matter of option isnt it? they sell it for the price we are prepared to pay
And if the person who took out the loans was a nasty dictator? Its not exactly like you taking out a loan to pay for a new car.
Your all heart arent you :rolleyes: