UPSC Mains 2013 · GS I · Q12 · 10 marks · 200 words

“Africa was chopped into States artificially created by accidents of European competition.” Analyze.

हिन्दी में

“यूरोपीय प्रतिस्पर्धा की दुर्घटनाओं द्वारा अफ्रीका को कृत्रिम रूप से निर्मित छोटे-छोटे राज्यों में काट दिया गया।” विश्लेषण कीजिए।

World History

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Colonial legacy is the primary source of political instability in the African Continent. Examine.”

Kshitij Aditya SharmaAIR 384 · CSE 2023 · 152 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The current lack of development, authoritarianism and frequent coups in Africa can be traced back to European colonial & imperialist policies.

Body · points

Harmful consequences of colonialism

  1. Scramble for Africa led to division of existing polities and erosion of administrative structures.
  2. The Berlin conference created irrational boundaries that ran across tribal lands creating divisions.
  3. Neocolonial policies & neoimperialism continues to persist.
  4. Resource exploitation created a scarcity leading to conflict.
  5. Culture of authoritarianism and rights abuses is a colonial legacy.
  6. Neo-governmental interference is a reality even today.
  7. African franc as a means to control economy of west African nations.
  8. Lack of reparations has allowed the situation to persist.
  9. Low voice at global bodies like the UN.
  10. Divide & rule policies to create inter-tribal conflict.

Close · a way forward

Thus, the contemporary political challenges of Africa can only be resolved by the end of neocolonialism & giving due reparations.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Q12. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.