Book: Varela Hilda (2007). África subsahariana en la nueva estructura del poder mundial: exclusión versus democracia. Mexico. Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales de la UNAM. a. Presentation The book analyzed for the purpose of this course, a relatively short book from a series called, in Spanish, “Cuadernos de Estudios Regionales” [Regional studies compositions] was published by what is alleged to be one of Mexico’s top universities; the “Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México” [UNAM]. The author, with the help of the Social and Political Sciences Department of said university, sought to communicate to the readers, through her expertise on the subject, a basic notion on the problems and challenges Africa has faced on the last decades –more or less since around the beginning of the Cold War period till the first decade of the XXIst century. What seems to be one of her greatest concerns is the need to establish the notion that, even though African countries have been repeatedly marginalized from international highlights, that doesn’t mean that Africa is fully irrelevant to world matters. Throughout recent history, the position of Africa has shifted throughout the different eras; for example, in the Cold War, African countries came into light to the eyes of both Soviet and American regimes, as a strategic area through which they could increase and expand their influence –needless to say, a similar (yet somehow changed situation) happened after the events of 9-11; when the United States started viewing unstable and impoverished African States as a concern which needed to be taken care of, in order to preserve its own security. b. Content Analysis Along the book there are at least many topics which are sought-for by the author, upon which an interpretation and discussion will be presented for three of them in particular: i. The search for political stability in Africa Africa, according to the author, has been throughout its history, a very complex example of the problems that can arise from international intervention. After many years of foreign involvement in the colonialist era, a wave of movements seeking African independence started to emerge in different States throughout the continent. However, even though several decades have passed since this events, they -the States that emerged- continue to have a relatively small involvement in the global community (even though globalization is without doubt changing these paradigms). Common practices among these newly freed countries included in many States a) a control by an elite African group (frequently composed of a particular ethnic group) of the country’s administration, which mostly proved to be rather inefficient at providing a common national identity (allowing many times for opponents to seize control through a coup d’état), b) a “virtual democracy” which emerged not from the society, but from international pressure (resulting many times in “democratic” elections that failed to provide any real alternation of the groups in power); and in c) weak institutions and weak social involvement in State affairs (which would be, according to the author, one of the main causers of instability in the region). As for the aforementioned conditions, I personally believe that practically the unique way in which people are better off is through a society which protects the freedom of its inhabitants, that encourages equality of opportunities, and which leaves people free to choose their way regarding how to use the capital and resources they possess. ii. The complexity of the African civilization African civilization is today one of the most complex regions in the world; due mainly to the heterogeneity of its inhabitants, which come from many different ethnic groups, traditions and religions. However necessary, it is not easy to merge all people together in a fashion in which they will be willing to work together for a common future. Nevertheless, I personally believe that, should this goal be accomplished by a nation, it will certainly bring it to a whole new level through which it will be easier to bring prosperity and a general well-being for the population. As in my experience, even though this kind of collaboration has sometimes worked to accomplish less-than-desirable goals [Nazi Germany, for example]; modern day Germany and mainly Japan should provide excellent examples of the kind of development that has been possible thanks to this national unity. Another example of the impact this common unison has can be observed in the American Revolution; colonists were unable to effectively organize together until they found, in their common repudiation of the Tea Acts imposed by the British Crown, a shared vision through which they could unite. iii. The emerging opportunities within Africa Beyond what is common for most countries, Africa –mainly sub-Saharan Africa- has been subject to a great deal of controversies regarding the treatment it receives from fellow nations. However, a great deal of hope has been placed in three “recent” events regarding these countries’ participation: a) The African Union (AU). The disintegration of the Cold War era “Organization for African Unity” has given rise to a new regional organism which allegedly emphasizes more than ever the need for resolutions to the economic issues that have haunted Africa ever since its first involvement in contemporary history. Established in 2001, it has planned a new regional formula for cooperation to face these challenges. b) The New Partnership for Africa’s Development [NEPAD]. This document, has reflected an ambitious agenda for peace and security in Africa, with the goal of finally breaking up with historic tendencies of exclusion and impoverishment in these nations. c) The adoption of the Millennium Development Goals [MDG’s]. This new and unpreceded consensus between different countries and their countries has proposed new forms of association between developed and developing countries. The document has proposed 2015 as the due date for which several objectives and proposed measures by the governments should have been accomplished (including for example, the reduction of the number of people living in poverty conditions by half) (Varela, 2007). Along with the author, I would personally like to believe these agreements for working together will make a difference in the long run in the history of Africa’s development. However, as with everything in life, the sole act of signing a document is going to make no difference if no action is taken to better the living conditions of the people. c. Conclusions Even though throughout history Africa has been greatly challenged by both geological conditions -after all, it is far away from having the best climate on the planet- and external factors such as interventions by foreign nations; I believe the opportunities the continent as a whole has for rising from its crises are really tangible by this time in history. As the author of the book pointed out, military regimes in Africa are for the most part wiped out from the region; today these types of governments are more of the exception than the rule; due perhaps to a new social awareness coming from within the people, and/or the pressure globalization has exerted on African nations to open their markets. As I’ve now understood from the reading, the main concerns of African countries should be a) to create a national unity and a common identity that will help people reach for common goals, b) to create strong institutions that will work for the people, and c) to open and become a whole more inclusive of the members of their society. As for the book, I really admire the way the author managed to accommodate, in a relatively short number of pages, the main aspects of Africa’s political culture, the main events in recent history that have impacted the transformation of current regimes throughout the continent, and a somehow wide notion of the context in which these nations coexists. I would definitely recommend it to someone who wishes to gain a basic notion of the context in which these countries coexist- and who can read Spanish.