By Max X, a Revolutionary writer whose writing can be found on his Medium here.
Republished by Black Hammer Party on 4/6/2023 from a larger article of Burkinabe History that can be found here.
French neocolonialism in Africa has a long and complex history, rooted in the legacy of French colonialism on the continent. The French colonization of Africa began in the late 19th century and continued until the mid-20th century, with France establishing colonies in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and other West and Central African countries. During this time, France exploited the resources and labor of these colonies, while also imposing its language, culture, and values upon the African people.
After the formal end of colonialism, France continued to exert economic and political influence over its former colonies through neocolonialism. Neocolonialism is a form of indirect control that allows former colonial powers to maintain their influence over the economies and governments of their former colonies. This was achieved through various means, including the creation of economic and military alliances, the establishment of puppet governments, and the manipulation of local elites.
In the case of Burkina Faso, French neocolonialism has had a significant impact on the country’s development and political stability. During the colonial period, France established a system of indirect rule, whereby traditional leaders were co-opted into the colonial administration and used to maintain control over the population. This system of indirect rule was maintained after independence, with France continuing to support the ruling elite in Burkina Faso.
One of the legacies of French colonialism in Burkina Faso is the country’s dependence on France for economic and political support. Burkina Faso remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with a large percentage of its population living below the poverty line. French companies continue to dominate the country’s economy, with French businesses controlling the majority of the country’s mining, agriculture, and telecommunications sectors.
To understand how France has maintained its influence over West Africa, Marxist and Leninist dialectics can be used. Marxist dialectics argues that social and economic systems are defined by class struggle, with the ruling class maintaining their power through the exploitation of the working class. Leninist dialectics builds on this theory, arguing that imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism, whereby powerful nations exploit weaker nations for their resources and labor.
Using Marxist and Leninist dialectics, it becomes clear that France’s neocolonial relationship with West Africa is rooted in the exploitation of the region’s resources and labor. France has maintained its power over West Africa by controlling the region’s economies and political systems, allowing it to extract resources and maintain control over the population. This has been achieved through the use of military force, economic coercion, and political manipulation.
In conclusion, French neocolonialism in Africa has a long and complex history, rooted in the legacy of French colonialism on the continent. Burkina Faso is a clear example of how French neocolonialism has had a significant impact on the development and stability of African countries. The Marxist and Leninist dialectics can be used to understand how France has maintained its influence over West Africa, and to highlight the exploitation and oppression that has resulted from this neocolonial relationship.
Vladimir Lenin’s analysis of imperialism provides a useful framework for understanding the plight of Burkina Faso under French neocolonialism. According to Lenin, imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism, in which powerful countries exploit weaker countries for their resources and labor. This exploitation is achieved through economic, political, and military means, with the dominant countries using their power to maintain control over the weaker countries.
In the case of Burkina Faso, French neocolonialism has had a significant impact on the country’s development and political stability. Since achieving independence from France in 1960, Burkina Faso has remained economically and politically dependent on France. French companies control the majority of the country’s economy, including its mining, agriculture, and telecommunications sectors. France also maintains a significant military presence in the country, providing support to the ruling elite and suppressing popular movements.
Lenin’s analysis of imperialism highlights the economic and political exploitation that has taken place in Burkina Faso under French neocolonialism. France has used its economic and political power to maintain control over the country’s resources and labor, while also manipulating the political system to ensure the continued dominance of the ruling elite. This has resulted in a situation where the majority of the population lives in poverty, with limited access to education, healthcare, and basic services.
The impact of French neocolonialism on Burkina Faso has been compounded by the legacy of French colonialism. During the colonial period, France established a system of indirect rule, in which traditional leaders were co-opted into the colonial administration and used to maintain control over the population. This system of indirect rule was maintained after independence, with France continuing to support the ruling elite in Burkina Faso.
Lenin’s analysis of imperialism helps to explain the root causes of the plight of Burkina Faso. The country’s dependence on France for economic and political support is a direct result of French neocolonialism, which has allowed France to exploit the country’s resources and labor for its own benefit. The legacy of French colonialism has also contributed to the country’s political and economic instability, by maintaining a system of indirect rule that has favored the ruling elite over the population.
In conclusion, Lenin’s analysis of imperialism provides a valuable framework for understanding the plight of Burkina Faso under French neocolonialism. The country’s economic and political dependence on France is a direct result of French imperialism, which has exploited the country’s resources and labor for its own benefit. The legacy of French colonialism has also contributed to the country’s political and economic instability, by maintaining a system of indirect rule that has favored the ruling elite over the population. The plight of Burkina Faso highlights the ongoing impact of imperialism on the developing world, and the urgent need for a more equitable and just global economic system.
French colonialism has had a lasting and devastating impact on Burkina Faso, reversing much of the progress that the country had made before colonization. The west has been complicit in this oppression, supporting French neocolonialism and enabling the exploitation of Burkina Faso’s resources and people.
Before French colonization, Burkina Faso was home to a number of powerful empires and kingdoms, with advanced systems of agriculture, trade, and governance. However, French colonization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to the destruction of these systems, as the French imposed their own economic and political structures on the country. Burkina Faso became a source of cheap labor and raw materials for France, with little regard for the well-being of the local population.
The impact of French colonialism on Burkina Faso was severe. The French dismantled traditional systems of governance, replacing them with their own bureaucratic structures that favored French interests over local needs. The French also imposed their own economic model on the country, with a focus on cash crops like cotton and peanuts that could be sold to France for a profit. This led to a decline in traditional subsistence agriculture, as farmers were forced to grow crops for export rather than for their own consumption.
The legacy of French colonialism in Burkina Faso has been devastating. The country remains economically and politically dependent on France, with French companies controlling the majority of the country’s resources and industries. The ruling elite in Burkina Faso, who are supported by France, have little regard for the needs of the local population, leading to widespread poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to basic services like healthcare and education.
The west has been complicit in this oppression, supporting French neocolonialism and enabling the exploitation of Burkina Faso’s resources and people. Western companies, including those based in the United States, have invested heavily in Burkina Faso, often at the expense of local communities. These companies have little regard for the impact of their activities on the local environment or population, leading to environmental degradation, displacement of communities, and human rights abuses.
In addition, Western governments have supported French neocolonialism through their policies and aid programs. Many Western countries continue to provide aid to Burkina Faso, but much of this aid is tied to conditions that benefit Western companies and governments rather than local needs. This perpetuates the cycle of dependence on the West and ensures that Burkina Faso remains a source of cheap labor and resources for Western interests.
In conclusion, French colonialism has reversed progress in Burkina Faso, leading to widespread poverty, lack of access to basic services, and political instability. The West has been complicit in this oppression, supporting French neocolonialism and enabling the exploitation of Burkina Faso’s resources and people. It is crucial that Western governments and companies take responsibility for their role in this oppression and work to support the development of Burkina Faso on terms that prioritize the needs of local communities rather than Western interests.
The French mode of social democracy is a political and economic system that claims to prioritize social welfare and claims to seek to reduce economic inequality through government intervention and regulation. The French system is built around a comprehensive social welfare system that provides universal healthcare, education, and social security benefits to citizens.
The French government claims to recognize that social inequality can lead to a wide range of problems, including poverty, social unrest, and political instability. To combat these issues, the government has implemented a range of policies aimed at reducing economic inequality and promoting social cohesion.
One key element of the French mode of social democracy is a strong system of labor protections. The government regulates working conditions, working hours, and wages, and ensures that all workers are entitled to paid vacations, maternity leave, and other benefits. This helps to ensure that workers are treated fairly and that they are able to enjoy a decent standard of living.
Another key element of the French mode of social democracy is a commitment to universal healthcare. The French healthcare system is based on the principle of solidarity, which means that everyone has access to high-quality healthcare, regardless of their income or social status. The government funds the system through a combination of taxes and contributions from employers and employees, which helps to ensure that everyone can access the care they need.
Education is also a key element of the French mode of social democracy. The government provides free education to all citizens, from primary school through university. This helps to ensure that everyone has access to the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life, regardless of their background.
In addition to these policies, the French government also provides a range of social security benefits to help support those in need. These benefits include unemployment insurance, disability benefits, and housing assistance, among others. This helps to ensure that everyone has access to a basic standard of living, regardless of their economic circumstances.
Overall, the French mode of social democracy is based on the idea that everyone should have access to the basic necessities of life, including healthcare, education, and social security. The government plays a central role in ensuring that these needs are met, and it does so through a combination of regulation, taxation, and public spending. While the system is not perfect, and there are certainly challenges to be addressed, the French mode of social democracy has proven to be an effective way of reducing economic inequality and promoting social cohesion.
At what cost?
France has long been considered a model of social democracy, with a robust social welfare system, universal healthcare, and strong labor protections. However, this social democracy is not achieved in isolation, but rather through the externalization of poverty to countries like Burkina Faso. By exploiting the resources and labor of these countries, France is able to maintain its social democracy while pushing the costs of this system onto the global south.
Burkina Faso is a prime example of how France externalizes poverty to maintain its social democracy. The country is rich in natural resources, including gold, cotton, and livestock, yet it remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The vast majority of the population lives in poverty, with limited access to basic services like healthcare, education, and clean water. The country’s economy is heavily dependent on exports, particularly of raw materials like gold and cotton, which are often controlled by French companies.
French companies have a long history of exploiting Burkina Faso’s resources and labor for their own profit. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, France colonized Burkina Faso and imposed its own economic and political structures on the country. The French dismantled traditional systems of governance and replaced them with their own bureaucratic structures that favored French interests over local needs. They also imposed their own economic model on the country, with a focus on cash crops like cotton and peanuts that could be sold to France for a profit. This led to a decline in traditional subsistence agriculture, as farmers were forced to grow crops for export rather than for their own consumption.
Today, French companies continue to dominate the Burkinabe economy. For example, the French company Areva controls uranium mining in Burkina Faso, which provides nuclear energy for France. The company has been accused of exploiting the country’s resources and leaving little benefit for the local population. Additionally, French companies like Total have significant investments in Burkina Faso’s oil and gas industry, further enriching France at the expense of the local population.
This externalization of poverty has significant social, economic, and political consequences for Burkina Faso. The country remains economically and politically dependent on France, with French companies controlling the majority of the country’s resources and industries. The ruling elite in Burkina Faso, who are often supported by France, have little regard for the needs of the local population, leading to widespread poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to basic services like healthcare and education.
This system also perpetuates global inequality, with France and other wealthy countries benefiting from the exploitation of countries like Burkina Faso. The profits generated by French companies in Burkina Faso are often repatriated to France, rather than reinvested in the local economy. This further exacerbates the poverty and dependence of countries like Burkina Faso on the global economic system.
Moreover, this system has significant consequences, as companies prioritize profit over environmental protections. Mining and other extractive industries often lead to community degradation, displacement of communities, and human rights abuses. This further exacerbates the poverty and vulnerability of the local population, while providing little benefit to the global community.
In conclusion, France upholds its social democracy through the externalization of poverty to countries like Burkina Faso. By exploiting the resources and labor of these countries, France is able to maintain its social democracy while pushing the costs of this system onto the global south. This system perpetuates global inequality, exacerbates poverty and vulnerability, and has significant social, economic, and environmental consequences. It is crucial that France and other wealthy countries take responsibility for their role in this system and work to support the development of countries like Burkina Faso on terms that prioritize the needs of local communities and the global community as a whole.
