Colonialism In How Europe Underdeveloped Africa By Walter Rodney

Register to read the introduction… Marxist theory states that “capitalists enjoy profits due to surplus value” (Aviles). Rodney argues that this so called ‘surplus’ was African labor and raw materials: “colonies should exist for the metropoles by producing raw materials and buying manufactured goods, the underlying theory was to introduce an international division of labour” (177). This point was demonstrated through examples such as the slave trade, wage labour, technological advancement, and politico-military advances. These examples show Africa being used for everything from military research and development to labor exploitation in the mining industry. In the case of the technological stagnation of Africa; Rodney portrays this in such a way that Europe acted as the gatekeeper determining what technology Africa would be permitted and what would be withheld. The common thread Rodney displays in these examples is the inherent inequality of the European view of Africa and the consequent actions, proving that even in the process of ‘under developing’ Africa, there was an inherent prejudice towards African subordination. Rodney disputes the commonly accepted bourgeois attitude that colonialism was for the benefit of the African continent, as their economy had clearly stagnated and technological development was significantly lagging. He uses the Marxist explanation that inequality was needed to sustain the capitalist economy such that Europe needed Africa to remain stagnant and ‘underdeveloped’ for it to continue to service the European centered economy. He only further proves this by pointing out that even aspects of colonialism, which were justified as beneficial to Africans, were set up in ways that Europeans ultimately benefitted, social services were only constructed in regions that were particularly valuable to Europeans: “the …show more content…
Given the limited focus on African history in Western education this book provides an eye-opening experience, which challenges the dominant understanding that the West can do no harm, perhaps one of Rodney’s goals in writing this particular piece. Although the book’s discussion of African history ends in the 1970’s, this does not make it any less valid today, as many of the patterns described by Rodney can be observed in present day African society. An argument can be made that the aid industry in Africa is following a similar trajectory to formal colonialism and only goes to further Rodney’s original thesis that the only true way to develop Africa is through a severance of ties with the international capitalist economy.
Overall, Rodney’s How Europe Underdeveloped Africa was a refreshing read, which challenged Western accounts of African history. His arguments were well supported and have stood the test of time; both of which are important for academic texts. Above all, it provides a desperately needed critique of Western actions both in the past and the present and is one of the best explanations of present day African underdevelopment, showing the importance of a historical approach to understanding current