Africa and the West: Contextualising the Globalisation of Inequality

Abstract

Globalisation and globalism – its philosophy – seem attractive on the surface, especially when one considers that Man, by nature, is a gregarious animal. The increasing connectivity, interdependence, universal cooperation and expansion of world trade that globalisation theoretically preaches can hardly be ignored. However, connectivity, cooperation and interdependence of the states and peoples of the world cannot be successful where there is a glaring inequality of status. In a world divided into “developed” and “underdeveloped” countries, we wonder what is being globalised. In view of the above, this paper argues the position that African countries need to pay attention to developmental issues before any attempt at globalisation. Globalisation is a world of competition and no one goes into a competition without having the requisite skills or products. Globalising at this stage of underdevelopment puts African States at a disadvantage, except the developed world decides to trade its development for underdevelopment.