The Bottom Billion Written by Paul Collier
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The bottom billion published in 2007 and written by Paul Collier an economist and Professor at Oxford University and former director of development research at the World Bank, explores the reasons why the poorest countries are failing and what can be done about it. Collier contends that there are three types of person in todays world, one billion people that have made it, 4 billion people that are catching up and I billion people that are falling behind. Two thirds of this bottom billion resides in Africa and the remaining are in countries that are scattered around the world in places such as Haiti, Bolivia and Cambodia.
The book takes the position that the countries that are failing are failing for very specific reasons. These reasons are being trapped in conflict, being landlocked with bad neighbors, being trap by natural resources and having bad governance. Collier contends that through global intervention and cooperative and courageous government of these struggling countries substantial progress can be made, change that meaningfully affects the standard of living in these countries over a long period of time.
Collier explores the impact that conflict and civil wars have on these countries and how they are much more susceptible to prolonged violence and how it is extremely difficult for economic growth. Based on a study conducted by Collier and his colleagues he asserts that growth is reduced to 2.3% per year because of conflict. The estimated cost of a civil war according to Collier is around 64 billion dollars or in some cases twice a countrys GDP.
Collier also explores the ease in which a civil war can be provoked. He recalls a conversation Laure Kabila a rebel leader in Zaire had with a journalist where he says how easy it is start a rebellion. With $10,000 and a satellite phone rebel leaders had financed a small army and seize the state. The implications are even more far reaching; it is astonishing that rebel leaders are able to trade a countries naturals resources to foreign entities for profit that are then used to fund civil wars. If companies can no longer be allowed to business with rebel leaders under the veil that they are unaware as to where and how resources are attained. As they have been doing for long periods as it relates to “blood diamonds” or as Collier describes it as “conflict diamonds”, before the NGO global Witnes put pressure on some of the worlds largest diamond producers. It is shocking to see the percentage of country in the “bottom billion” that have experienced or is currently experiencing a civil war. Another point that Collier makes is to the ease in which a civil war can be waged is the forceful way in which young rebels are recruited as “foot soldiers”. Collier refers to the Lords Resistance Army in Uganda where the army surrounded a remote school and set it on fire. The boys that managed to escape the blaze where given two choices, join the army or be shot on site. Those who joined were forced to commit horrific crimes in their home towns such as raping old women, shaming them into never returning. But not all rebel recruits are forced to serve in rebel armies. Others are driven by their desire to escape the poverty in which they live, despite the small chance of attaining a better life.
Collier notes that 73% of the people in the bottom billion have been through a civil war. A civil war can subsist in the bottom billion countries for very long periods of time, sometimes spanning over many years, trapping a country in violence and poverty. Collier explains how once a country has experience a civil war that there is a heighten risk of them falling back into another civil war further damaging their chance of escaping their economic stagnation. He takes this opportunity in explaining the conflict trap to explore how rebel groups are able to manipulate foreign entities into funding conflict both in the bottom billion countries and abroad. He cites the bombing in Sir Lanka that occurred in 1996 that was funded by funds in a Canadian bank account. Collier also cites the fact the IRA (Irish Republican Army) used gun they got from a Boston police station.
He also makes the very valuable point that civil wars or internal conflict is not a death sentence to a country or its economy. Making reference to the civil wars of the Americas, Britain and Russia, also noting their length and the fact they were not repeated. This is often not the case for these countries impacted by struggle in Africa. Collier explains the ease in which rebels can and are allowed to wage civil wars solely for profit and power that can throw a country in a civil war that can last for years. But the consequences of civil war is far greater than the misuse of a countries natural resource for personally and corporate gain. The effects of civil wars are long lasting, with the spread of disease, famine, poverty and the crippling affect it has on an economy. It forces the few educated persons in these bottom billion country to flee for better opportunities and discourages foreign professionals from wanting to enter to offer aid in the form of there expertises
Despite the obvious need for military intervention when it comes to conflict in the bottom billion countries such Nigeria. There is great reluctance on the part of many international bodies to intervene on the basis that they dont wish to impose on nations sovereignty. Collier goes as far to state that it is highly unlikely that there will be any military intervention basis predominantly on the issues surrounding Iraq. With a civil war on the horizon in Libya where dictatorial leader Muammar Kaddahfy has launched a full on assault on the citizens of Libya for their protest against his administration, it is a defining moment for Collier theory. As the situation unfolds in Libya it has been made clear by the current President of the United States Barack Obama that Muammar Kaddahfy must step down from power. However actions taken by the United States and its NATO allies have not been directly targeted toward efforts to remove Kaddafi from power. The presence and intervention by NATO allies has been primarily focused on the protection of civilian lives from air strike to which they are defenseless. From a personal point of view I believe that a decisive cause of action to remove Kaddahfy from power should be taken in Libya. I belief that when a dictator results to the slaughter of its own citizen for the purpose of retaining control and power of the country and its wealth, It is the duty and responsibility of international bodies to intervene and stop genocide where ever it happens, no matter the cost. On the other hand to do believe in a nations sovereignty and its right to resolve it own problem without being subject to foreign policies that may not be in the best interest of other