What does Globalization mean to Zambia?

Zambia’s current economic plight is one that has been influenced by globalization and overseas donations. The clothes that we send as donations and that we hope helps unfortunate people in both our local areas and in the world, becomes a source of commerce and profit in poorer countries. As much as 95% of donated clothing from the U.S. are sold to poorer countries. This has created a climate in which other industries are failing to thrive in Zambia. Second hand clothing selling is the only business that is making money, which also limits the ventures that people in Zambia can go into. People who were once teachers, nurses, and civil servants have lost their jobs and have only the second hand clothing business to turn to to survive.

We must first take a look at Zambia’s past to understand the current situation. Up until the mid-eighteen hundreds, few people other than portuguese explorers and traders had ever set foot on Zambian soil. But starting around 1880s, British commercial and political leaders began becoming interested in Central Africa, and many went to seek mineral mining rights from local chieftains. In the same time period, Northern and Southern Rhodesia (modern Zambia and Zimbabwe) became seen as a British territory. Southern Rhodesia was annexed formally and was given the right to self govern in 1923. The governing of Northern Rhodesia was transferred to British colonial offices in 1924. In 1953, entered into a federation with Nyasaland (Malawi) and this caused a lot of internal turmoil as Africans struggled with the white government to gain more independence/involvement in their government. The British feared that they would lose control of the territory if they gave in.

Zambia finally gained independence in 19...

... middle of paper ...

...’s economy due to unfair policies. Instead, the Fund and Bank should provide the people of Zambia with economists and other professionals who could provide guidance and assistance to get the economy up and running. Secondly, Zambia needs to reinstate the tariff on used clothing to jump start the textile industry again. Thirdly, Zambia must above all else begin to seek professionals to educate their population, because as everyone knows, education is the most precious factor in getting out of poverty. It opens doorways that would otherwise be closed.In addition to these steps, Zambia’s debt on the basis of unfair and shady dealings should be forgiven and forgotten. The country was only seeking assistance because of its new independence, I honestly don’t think that its right for them to be continually punished and coherced out of the precious little money they have.