Marian L. Tupy (Author at The Cato Institute)

South Africa after Mbeki (Daily Podcast)

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Cato Scholar Comments on Mbeki's Resignation (Scholar Comments)

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The National Executive Committee of South Africa's ruling African National Congress recalled President Thabo Mbeki from his post on Saturday. Mbeki, who has led South Africa since 1999, agreed to go quietly. He leaves behind an incompetent government fraught with nepotism and corruption, and a despondent country with weakened institutions, declining education and health standards, and out-of-control violence and HIV/AIDS pandemic. Troublingly, Jacob Zuma, the man who is likely to replace Mbeki, inspires even less confidence.

Mbeki's Legacy (Commentary)

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

President Thabo Mbeki, who has led South Africa since 1999, agreed Saturday to go quietly after the ruling ANC asked him to resign. Mr. Mbeki leaves behind a largely incompetent government fraught with nepotism and corruption, and a despondent country with weakened institutions, declining education ...

Cato Scholar Comments on the Political Situation in Zimbabwe (Scholar Comments)

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The power-sharing agreement between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai is a complex compromise that was going to work only if both sides were committed to working together for better Zimbabwe. It now appears that Mugabe and ZANU-PF were never serious about giving up significant degree of power to the opposition. The international community would be well-advised to adopt a wait-and-see position.

Power Sharing in Zimbabwe (Daily Podcast)

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Cato Scholar Comments on Zimbabwe Power-sharing Agreement (Scholar Comments)

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Today's power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe will likely see the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change Morgan Tsvangirai appointed as Zimbabwe's executive prime minister as early as next week. The new prime minister will face a monumental task of reviving the world's most rapidly shrinking economy, and healing the wounds of decades of state-sponsored political violence. He should recognize that Zimbabwe's major problems are rooted in the lack of political and economic freedom.

The new government should stop political violence, free up the media and reinstate the freedom of assembly. To restore confidence both at home and overseas, the government should quickly end Zimbabwe's hyperinflation through dollarization or the implementation of a currency board. It should move to, among other measures, restore property rights, free up prices and trade, and streamline business regulation. The government should rely on the wealth-creating efforts of individual Zimbabweans to return the country on a path to growth and abandon the failed state-led approach to economic development.

Shame the Beloved Country (Commentary)

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

What do authoritarian regimes like China, Libya, Russia, Vietnam, and a democracy like South Africa have in common? Their representatives voted against an arms embargo on Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe during the recent U.N. Security Council meeting in New York. The South African vote, which wil...

Africa: Sadness and Irony in Continent's Economic Choices (Commentary)

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Group of Eight (G-8) meeting in Japan promises to address the question of African development. If the past is any guide, the G-8 will focus on increasing aid to Africa and reducing its debt, both of which have failed to stimulate African development in the past. What Africa needs, however, is a ...

Cato Scholar Comments on the G-8 Summit and Aid to Africa (Scholar Comments)

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The G8 meeting in Hokkaido, Japan, promises to address the problem of African poverty. If the past is any guide, the summit will call for more aid and debt relief, both of which have a long record of failure. The G8 countries should open their markets to African exports, but they should also abandon the idea that the solution to African poverty can come from the outside. Most of the causes of African under-development can only be addressed through domestic institutional and policy reforms, including the elimination of trade barriers among African countries.

G8 and Aid for Africa (Daily Podcast)

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Aid Africa Can't Afford (Commentary)

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

If the G-8 really wants to help, it should cut off funds for dysfunctional states. African development is high on the list of topics for the leaders of the Group of 8 countries meeting in Hokkaido, Japan. The host country has already pledged to double its aid to Africa from the current $6.9 bil...

Zimbabwean Economy Threatens Mugabe (Daily Podcast)

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Cato Scholar Comments on the "Election" in Zimbabwe (Scholar Comments)

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Robert Mugabe's "victory" in the one-man presidential election in Zimbabwe will not gain him national or international legitimacy. To hang onto power, he has destroyed his country's economy and democratic institutions. The economic collapse and political crisis he brought about will make it extremely difficult for him to govern. Led by the African states, the international community should impose an arms embargo on the Mugabe regime and increase its isolation.

Cato Scholar Comments on Election Mess in Zimbabwe (Scholar Comments)

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

For weeks, it has been clear that it would be impossible to hold a free and fair election in Zimbabwe amidst government-sponsored killing and torture of the members of the opposition. Morgan Tsvangirai was correct to withdraw from the presidential contest, thus denying legitimacy to Robert Mugabe's 'victory.' It is now vital for African countries, especially Zimbabwe's neighbors, to help isolate Mugabe's illegal regime and place it under an international arms embargo. The coming days will show the extent to which African leaders are committed to freedom and democracy in Africa.

The Spiral of Zimbabwe (Commentary)

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The political and economic situation in Zimbabwe is spiraling out of control, but the government of the Zimbabwe African National Union — Patriotic Front seems determined to hold onto power no matter what the cost. The time is ripe to impose an arms embargo on President Mugabe's murderous regime. In...

South Africa Deteriorates (Commentary)

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Last month, President Thabo Mbeki was forced to call in the military to help the police restore order in townships across South Africa. A wave of xenophobic violence left 50 dead. Though the mob mostly targeted illegal immigrants from other parts of Africa, it also went after some economically succe...

Cato Scholar Comments on Recommendations to G-8 to Increase Africa Aid (Scholar Comments)

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Africa Progress Panel's recent report is wrong in criticizing the G-8 countries for spending less than they promised on aid to Africa. Aid has a terrible record in stimulating economic growth in Africa. In fact, further aid is likely to increase the recently reduced debt that Africa owes to rich countries. To break the cycle of increasing aid and growing debt, Africa needs to address intra-African trade protectionism and lack of domestic economic reforms on the African continent.

A Triumph for Democracy (Commentary)

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

In a referendum last Thursday, Ireland rejected the Lisbon Treaty — an attempt to overhaul the European Union's institutions. In doing so, the Irish continued a venerable tradition: When the people of Europe are given a chance to directly voice their opinions about the EU they tend to give it a fail...

Cato Scholar Comments on Ireland's Rejection of the Lisbon Treaty (Scholar Comments)

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty is welcome news. It shows that further centralization of power in Brussels has limited support among the people of Europe. Over the years, Brussels has grown increasingly powerful, but also more corrupt and unaccountable. The European political elites, which have almost succeeded in getting the Lisbon Treaty adopted without national referenda, are openly contemptuous of the democratic process and preferences of the people of Europe. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Irish, like the Dutch and French before them, said "No."

Ireland Rejects Lisbon Treaty (Daily Podcast)

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Cato Scholar Comments on the 6/12 Irish Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty (Scholar Comments)

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

It is increasingly likely that the Irish referendum on Thursday will end in the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty. The Lisbon Treaty, which paves the way for further centralization of power in Brussels, is almost identical to the EU Constitution that was rejected in the French and Dutch referenda in 2005. It is telling that when the people of Europe are allowed a free vote on further centralization, they tend to reject it. That is why the Lisbon Treaty has been rammed through national parliaments in the rest of the EU, rather than subjected to national referenda. The European political elites have repeatedly demonstrated their utter contempt for public opinion. On Thursday, the Irish people might teach them a lesson in democracy and accountability.

Cato Scholar Comments on Recent Arrests of Zimbabwe Opposition Leader (Scholar Comments)

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The recent arrests of Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and winner of the first round of the Zimbabwean presidential election, exemplify Robert Mugabe's complete disregard for democracy and the wishes of the Zimbabwean people. The international community in general and African states in particular must demand his immediate release and guarantees for his personal safety. Countries neighboring Zimbabwe must stand united in demanding that the violence against, and intimidation of, the opposition cease. The international community must redouble its efforts to ensure that a maximum number of observers are allowed to oversee the upcoming second round of presidential elections on June 27.