By Olusola Aladejebi

The term ‘shithole countries’ became popular because the president of the United States, Donald Trump allegedly made the remark in a discussion on immigration policy. Trump was said to be angered that despite immigration control being a major campaign point, many people from ‘these countries’ were still pouring into America. Although White House has continued to deny that US president used such words, however some who were present at the gathering insisted that they were made. So what are shithole countries?

The meaning may be gleaned from another negative comment attributed to Donald Trump, also on immigration. He said that once immigrants from countries like Nigeria had seen the United States, they would never go back to their huts. Shithole countries, then huts. They are countries that cannot manage their affairs and whose citizens are ready to run to places that are run properly. Corruption, disease, poverty, are rife in shithole countries.

Condemnations upon condemnations have attended this alleged crude remarks by Trump—international Press, Civil Americans, EU, AU, various African countries. The South African government even sent for the US Ambassador in the country. But as many commentators have pointed out, there is message in the mess.

If there are countries that take aid from international donors to help eradicatem polio or some other disease but much of these funds end up in private pockets; if there are countries where ordinary electricity is ‘rocket science’; if there are countries where their leaders would do everything possible—legitimate, illegal, immoral—to cling to power even if it means the destruction of their people; if there are countries where election outcomes are considerably determined by hand-outs voters receive from politicians; if there are countries where the police and other security agencies regularly brutalize the citizens with almost no hope of justice, how can we describe such societies?

There is a human imperative to organize society. Since the primitive times, humans have tried to solve problems that arise in their environment. Problems of food, water, weather, shelter have been basically solved in many societies. As with life, as one solves one problem another problem arises. Life even seems to be journey of problem solving. More organized nations have some other kinds of problems they solve.

Being a ‘shithole’ country has nothing to do with colour or race or region in the world. The fundamental criterion that excludes or includes a country from the designation is how well they have organized their society. Is the country planning for the future? Is there a working system of justice? Can they utilize their resources to provide for their people? Do they have a values system that can ensure continued social development? This last question is important because it takes the consideration beyond per capita income or standard of living or some other economic indices. The point is: A ‘shithole’ country may be a rich country today.

When we consider the shift in values that have taken place in the Western world over the last 60 years one can come to the conclusion that the foundations on which they built their organized society are being eroded fast. Values like family, child discipline, morality. No people has ever been completely moral. Some part of what developed the Europe and America were slave trade and colonization which were very evil. They pillaged Africa and some part Asia of its human and natural resources to develop their societies. But the big question is:

Could they have been able to use this ‘economic windfall’ of exploitation if they did not already have some kind of developed society?

We have seen countries, especially in Africa, that had sudden access to much resources. Rather than for them to lead to development of the country, it caused them more problems than benefits. Sometimes I wonder how we could organize more advanced aspects of our society if we cannot ensure something as simple as keeping vehicles from facing oncoming ones on our roads!

Much studies have been carried out to show that slave trade and colonization resulted in much damage to the psyche of the oppressed people. Our natural evolution was assaulted by the intrusion of European opportunists. We suddenly found themselves in a world heavily influenced by forces outside us. It has thus been a struggle for the ex-colonies. But as was said earlier, life is more or less a journey of solving problems. We must face it.  We cannot hang on to the negative effects of colonization and slave trade as an excuse for our very poor ability to manage our affairs.

The man who described some as ‘shithole countries’ is President whose administration has witnessed very strange things since inauguration. 36 of the administration’s key officials have either resigned or been sacked! 36!  I think Donald Trump should look at what is happening under his nose before telling off other countries.

 Olusola Aladejebi does work in building effective people systems in organizations. He also writes on Leadership and Organization architecture.

http://mouthpiece.com.ng/the-problem-with-shithole-countries/

Lalasticlala
Mynd44

Nigeria = shìthole raised ^10

Nice write up.
Every man wit his problems