We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Friday, February 8, 2013

Why Africa Is Turning to China

Click here to access article by Kwei Quartey from Huffington Post.

The Empire has been very concerned about Chinese influence and access to resources in Africa and many believe that this concern informs the Empire's current aggressive policies in the continent. (See this.) This writer describes how the Chinese have obtained this influence and access. 
...China portrays Africa more positively as a partner in "mutually beneficial cooperation" and "common prosperity," rather than a "doomed continent" requiring aid.