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Why South Africa Is on the Brink of Chaos

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Re: Why South Africa Is on the Brink of Chaos

#31

Post by alephnerd »

oatmeal1 wrote: post #5

When people vote for politicians based on moral appeals instead of practical qualifications, corruption is much more likely; politicians don't have to do a good job, they just have to appear to be on the "good" side.

People vote for the ANC in SA because there isn't an alternative party at the national level. Once you vote for the party, the party then decides who will lead.

Even the article notes that the first 15 years of ANC rule saw significant development, as does HDI data [0].

The issue was that Jacob Zuma essentially destroyed RSA thanks to his corruption. And the only reason he became President was because he headed the ANC's intelligence department from the 70s to the 90s, and as such had dirt on everyone.

[0] - https://countryeconomy.com/hdi/south-africa

Re: Why South Africa Is on the Brink of Chaos

#33

Post by mistrial9 »

prmph wrote: post #23

Meh, SA has supposedly been on the "brink of chaos" ever since Apartheid ended, and yet it never happens. I'm getting tired of this narrative. I've visited once. Yes, many things seem to have gone south, but those are growing pains every country goes through to achieve a proper political and economic system. Of course it is easy to avoid "chaos" when the majority of the people are brutally suppressed. Actually crafti…

apparently SA is on the brink of not doing what the USA tells them to do, resulting in USA media panic on unrelated and long-standing topics

Re: Why South Africa Is on the Brink of Chaos

#34

Post by chmod600 »

"held out the promise of an efficient state-led economy that would uplift the downtrodden Black majority. And for a while, it did."

There it is, the perpetually-available deal offered by all politicians: give us power and we will fix problem X (or maybe all problems).

Maybe intentions are good and the power is used to alleviate problem X. But soon those interested in solving X are replaced by those interested in the power.

And then the people are left with at least as many problems as before, but they've already given up the power and won't get it back.

Re: Why South Africa Is on the Brink of Chaos

#36

Post by jimbob45 »

GolfPopper wrote: post #17
AnotherGoodName wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Meh I'm from a nation way more socialist than the USA and we have 3x the median wealth per capita (Australia). We have a much lower mean wealth though. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_wealth_pe... If you're one of the top 1% in America life is great. But the 99% should not be going around saying socialism sucks. That to me indicates you're gullibility and mindless support of the 1% who have waaaay…

Not an actual quote, but rather a later-paraphrased summary of John Steinbeck, "Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.”

Steinbeck was a hack. There aren’t enough calories in breastmilk to sustain life for an adult male. Also, equal opportunities for your whole population is a noble goal. Twisting that into, “Americans are delusional to think they could ever succeed”, just makes it seem like you hate America. You could twist socialism into, “You were afraid that not everyone could win so now nobody wins”, and be equally wrong.

Re: Why South Africa Is on the Brink of Chaos

#38

Post by sgt101 »

kriops wrote: post #21
oatmeal1 wrote: post #5

When people vote for politicians based on moral appeals instead of practical qualifications, corruption is much more likely; politicians don't have to do a good job, they just have to appear to be on the "good" side.

[flagged]

Remember that a society is not homogeneous and a single concept of right would require homogeneity. How that is achieved will be up to you, if you gain a measure of power and cleave to this idea. In the past it has led to tragedy and infamy. Have a care....

Re: Why South Africa Is on the Brink of Chaos

#39

Post by gadflyinyoureye »

Thoeu388 wrote: post #13
AnotherGoodName wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Meh I'm from a nation way more socialist than the USA and we have 3x the median wealth per capita (Australia). We have a much lower mean wealth though. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_wealth_pe... If you're one of the top 1% in America life is great. But the 99% should not be going around saying socialism sucks. That to me indicates you're gullibility and mindless support of the 1% who have waaaay…

>99% should not be going around saying socialism sucks. LOL, love the tone policing. Do you realise some people actually lived under socialism? I am from East Europe.

Then you know first hand how truly wonderful it was. I've heard nothing but good things.

Re: Why South Africa Is on the Brink of Chaos

#40

Post by rejectfinite »

mistrial9 wrote: post #33
prmph wrote: post #23

Meh, SA has supposedly been on the "brink of chaos" ever since Apartheid ended, and yet it never happens. I'm getting tired of this narrative. I've visited once. Yes, many things seem to have gone south, but those are growing pains every country goes through to achieve a proper political and economic system. Of course it is easy to avoid "chaos" when the majority of the people are brutally suppressed. Actually crafti…

apparently SA is on the brink of not doing what the USA tells them to do, resulting in USA media panic on unrelated and long-standing topics

Is USA the reason they have 12h long "load shedding"/power cut sessions?
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