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Long-standing colonial wars tend to hurt the ex-colony in question after it becomes independent compared to colonies that gain their independence peacefully or with minimal violence.
For example, Tunisia and Algeria are next to each other, both have the same culture, the same ethnicities, the same religious beliefs, and eat the same food. Tunisia became independent peacvefully for the most part - with only one major military incident. Algeria became independent after a seven year long war of independence which was incredibly violent and left a huge amount of casualties, with a later civil war and years of terrorism. Tunisia is in way better shape than Algeria today.
Southern Rhodesia - Zimbabwe - became independent after an almost 20 year long war of independence from Britain. Northern Rhodesia - Zambia - became independent from Britain peacefully without any war. Zambia today is not doing great but it is clearly doing better than Zimbabwe. It has higher GDP (PPP) per capita than Zimbabwe, being more comparable to Benin and Tanzania whereas Zimbabwe's more like Somalia and Liberia. While no one would consider Zambia a free market country it is economically freer than ZImbabwe, one of the least economically free countries in the world. While Zambia has little freedom of the press Zimbabwe is even worse.
Clearly Zambia came out better than Zimbabwe did. If Zimbabwe had become independent without war there would be not have been a Mugabe.
I would never wish to prevent a person who would take a small nation that is 100% propped up on its ability to attract tourists from living there instead of Switzerland (for instance). The people who would choose St. Lucia belong in St. Lucia.
You couldn't prevent anything if you wanted to. St. Lucia has learned how to survive.
Yes, I would choose St. Lucia over Western European countries. I much prefer the culture, food, religious atmosphere, etc.
Except that an "economic freedom" list is not very meaningful. Most of what that requires is a lack of regulation. How about trotting out the human development index list? That's a meaningful list.
Economic freedom directly correlates with human development.
About the only black people in Switzerland are a stray American tourist or two. They do have "guest workers" who come from places like Turkey. Many Swiss look down their noses at those folks. My Swiss mom and my Swiss aunt would get disgusted if they had to share a train car with them. My aunt actually upgraded all our Swiss Rail passes to first class the last time I visited there just so we wouldn't have to sit next to any stray Muslims. Traveling first class was the easiest way to avoid them since most are agricultural workers who don't exactly get paid in gold Swiss Francs. This was a big deal for my aunt who like any other thrifty Swiss only spent her money on second class tickets. (Second class in Switzerland is fancier than any Amtrak traveler's wildest dreams here in the states, BTW).
The Swiss are a very conservative people and not especially egalitarian. Even though Switzerland is officially a neutral country, back in the 30's many Swiss Germans thought Hitler was cool and the Swiss banks and Swiss art dealers had no problem accepting the money and fine paintings that the Nazi's stole from the Jews. The older generation of Swiss have a very strong dislike of people who are "different" like Jews or people with brown skins like those from Turkey or N. Africa. It's a small landlocked country with plenty of high mountains and it's armed to the teeth in case anyone wants to come in and try to take away their neutrality. The Swiss are no saints when it comes to matters like racism.
switzerland is a strange duck indeed , its own little world in many ways , much more insular than the likes of remote iceland or new zealand , insanely expensive place to visit too
Switzerland is objectively one of the nicest nations in the world: it has true civilization, advanced industry, world-class safety, world-class scenery and nature, world-class banking, high currency value, a very functional military, high culture... There is very little legitimate criticism that would be able to gain any traction next to Switzerland's function.
all true but dont think its only people of colour or muslims etc who they have little time for , they dont really care much for anyone who isnt swiss , my sister worked as a nanny for an immigrant french family in that town where the olympics has its HQ about ten years ago , she found them ( not the french family ) very reserved and unfriendly people
Well keep in mind that while not PC, he is not the first, nor the most prominent person to make such observations.
Comparing what the African continent has accomplished to that of Europe and it's colonies, is like comparing night and day.
Winston Churchill took some slack for his comments, but did what he say differ from the reality/facts?
Those who view most things through a modern PC myopic lens see ____ism instead of a willingness to discuss the merits or lack thereof of these subjects.
Heck the few African nations/cities that are developed beyond 3rd world conditions where done so by white immigrants/colonialists, whether it be the English, French, Dutch, etc.
So does the mere utterance of these facts constitute racism, just because many people find the subject and it related discussions uncomfortable?
doesnt excuse the meddling by european colonial powers in africa one iota , the aboriginies of australia were living like stone age men when the british arrived two hundred years ago , that was there own business and didnt warrant shooting them like rabbits
europe should not be allowing mass immigration from the muslim world etc but the west needs to mind its own business too especially as the only benifactors of this meddling are the 1%
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