Global Studies on Collier's Trap on Madagascar (Essay Sample)

Student’s Name
Instructor’s Name
Course
Date
Collier’s Trap on Madagascar
In the contest, Collier highlights four major traps that significantly shape the country’s progress, either towards an economic and social downfall or prosperity. In this context, conflict, mismanagement of natural resources, landlocked nature, and bad governance stand out as the biggest traps (Paul 2). Of all the aforementioned traps, poor management of natural resources is the most conspicuous in Madagascar. In spite of its vast natural resources, the country is rated among the world’s undeveloped nations. Moreover, it is ironical that the country has had to contend with rampant poverty, poor healthcare services, and low-quality education despite harboring some of the scarcest resources. However, the government is yet to initiate workable strategies to exploit these resources and empower its citizens to develop the country.
Although natural resources have a great influence on the economy of Madagascar, the deep-rooted mismanagement and partial exploitation has rendered the country’s economic growth rather sluggish. In fact, these are some of the challenges facing the government but they can be attributed to the long legislation processes. Moreover, the issue of the natural resource is rather delicate as it is a primary source of revenue to the government, which has some elements to sabotage the process. In this line, unequal distribution and poor management of natural resources are major causes of conflict among the population (Paul 2). As such, some people feel that they are entitled to all natural resources located within their locality thereby sparking conflicts with those regarded as “intruders”. In reality, natural resources are legally owned by the state, and no group or individuals have a right to assume the ownership of such resources.
Although everyone in the country has a right to enjoy the benefits brought about by natural resources, the bad governance in the ruling regime has contributed to the ineffective exploitation of these resources. In addition, the leviathan of departmental and ministerial corruption and politicization of the whole issue have retarded the exploitation and utility of these resources. Some of the elements in the government have imported cheap commodities, which have brought competition with the state resources. Unfortunately, most of the revenue collected from these resources are used by the politicians to distribute the funds to their supporters instead of investing in the programs that would benefit the entire country.
Internal Changes that Need to be Embraced to Achieve Stability in Madagascar
1. Economical
Economically, Madagascar is ranked among the poorest but upcoming third-world countries. Economic liberation can be achieved by focusing on agricultural production, particularly wheat, owing to the favorable weather conditions in many parts of the country. Although agricultural production might be plagued by locust infestation, it would be wise for the government, through Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to intervene and supply farmers with pesticides to address the issue of pests and diseases. In the long run, agriculture could account for almost 80 percent of the country’s economy. Of course, the government has a role in developing and maintaining infrastructure, which has deteriorated through the years to the detriment of the agriculture sector. The country’s economy can also be boosted if the people embrace and improve the tourism sector. If the government seeks to accelerate economic growth, it should support the private sector and focus on developing the country’s aging infrastructure, i.e. roads and the electric power system. This will most probably create more jobs in the region and raise the economic status of the population.
2. Political
Madagascar could be lagging behind regarding development because it has previously been hit in the past by military coups, uncontrolled corruption, and political violence. Political volatility could propel poverty in Madagascar. The government of Madagascar needs to stable up and set harsh terms that are towards eliminating corruption that is very much prevalent in the country. Political battles may ruin all the efforts that have majored towards revitalizing the economy of Madagascar. The government needs to look forward towards prioritizing the economic development rather than political interests to refrain from putting off the foreign investors that in all instances anchor the economy of the country through trade.
3. Social
Social and cultural factors as well drag the country down as far as development is concerned. Poverty in Madagascar is deemed to have left more than 6000 children dropping out of school. This is risking the future welfare of these kids and the country at large. The government ought to build more schools, lower the fee charges and increase the findings at schools to cater for these vulnerable children. There is also perceived to have the deficiency when it comes to health centers hence putting the health of the population at risk. The government ought to allocate more funds towards the health sector to boost and better the health sector of the country.
External support regarding financial, social and political will
political
Madagascar is among the rapidly growing nation though the poor governance has constrained its developmental efforts. It Is significantly important for the government to borrow external support from the developed countries on various ways to contain some of the menaces that have been affecting the country. From the collier's trap perspectives, Madagascar is ranked among the most corrupt country. Besides, the leadership style of the country is ineffective due to the rampant illite...