“Many African leaders started out ostensibly modern, liberal, but began to behave more like traditional leaders- not as a leader who is part of an institutionalized political system, but as the system itself. They opened up their economy, but out of necessity; if it could no longer be obstructed. The same goes for elections: They were held to prevent civil war. The so-called “African renaissance” was only that on the surface. The leaders did not really believe in it. In reality they returned to forms of mythical, traditional governance. That is how they smashed into the wall. African tradition is irreconcilable with the modern world. Every country will have to break with it’s traditions in order to create a modern society.” ColonialismImperialismBritish ColonialismAfrican Renaissance Author:Bruce Gilley
“Colonialism isn’t just railroads. I do not need those railroads in order to defend colonialism. It is also legitimate governance, opportunities, protection, self-development, emancipation. And dignity. Colonialism gave people dignity, for the first time in their life. Regardless of who you are, which tribe you belonged to, or whether you are friends with The Big Man.” ColonialismImperialismTribalismBruce Gilley Author:Bruce Gilley
“People had status as subjects of the colonial empire. Maybe not yet as citizens, with voting-rights, but certainly as subjects who were treated as equals by the institutions and the law. And that was an improvement. That is why the colonial justice system was constipated: people could suddenly go to the judge over a piece of land.” ColonialismImperialismBritish EmpireBruce GilleyColonial Empire Author:Bruce Gilley
“What The Hague is doing right now in Sint-Maarten and Sint-Eustatius, namely intervene in parts of the administration. The black nationalist leaders cried murder over this Dutch ‘neo-colonialism’, but the people seem content.” ColonialismImperialismDutch ColonialismDutch AntillesDutch Empire Author:Bruce Gilley