Fighting the Injustice of Land-Grabs in Africa | National Catholic Reporter

Fighting the Injustice of Land-Grabs in Africa | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Sadly, this is what happens to poor people everywhere.  Appalachia has a similar history with big coal. The problem is that without a well educated populace, government leaders are largely unaccountable, which makes them of no use in stopping these land-grabs.  Putting in a Land Value Tax may or may not help, because the people are leasing the land, not selling it, so they would have to pay the tax.  The problem is, there are no better deals to be had - it may just be that losing the land will drive people into the cities, leading to industrialization, consumerism and an eventual middle class.  It may be time to quit thinking of Africa as a theme park, with the Africans being part of the exhibit.  Parts of Africa are having good luck with industrialization - getting a job is part of growing up, for cultures as well as teenagers.