Does literature help Nation's development ?

[PrinceDaadi]

This morning on my to work I had a discussion with a group of co-workers regarding literature then a question came to my mind, could it be that Africa's lack of Literature is holding back its development?

In literature I dont only mean Sugaan but writing critical books which analyses socioeconomic situation of a community and suggest a way out which can ignite a debate?

for example Dr. Mahathir Mohamed wrote a book called Malay dilema which outlined challenges Malaysia faced after Malay riots of 1969 and later on when he became a PM he implemented some of the suggestions in the book.


African generally don't read and when they do they do read school textbooks or newspapers, African registers very few books every yr. in view of all these can we say that Lack of literature holds back Africa?

[TheLoFather]

Africa just needs the Caucasians to leave and stop meddling with Africa.
Then peace and prosperity will will rain and shine for good.

[LiquidHYDROGEN]

Literature doesn't spark economic development. Literature is developed when a nation is rich. It's why countries that are wealthy also have huge cultural influence e.g. America , UK etc. You don't have time to read things when your are struggling to survive.

Africa needs strong leaders like in Malaysia, Indonesia and East Asia. Our problem is that we like to talk, but none of us actually do anything to change the status quo.

[gurey25]

Africa needs to free itself from colonialism before it can develop.

[PrinceDaadi]

Abdi: but for us to do something we have to share with the masses? don't you think some kind of Social critic is needed? and if so you will need a way to distribute that to the masses.

Gurey: how does Africa free it self when it kills those who would have freed it from this mess?

[BeyondQabil]

This morning on my to work I had a discussion with a group of co-workers regarding literature then a question came to my mind, could it be that Africa's lack of Literature is holding back its development?

In literature I dont only mean Sugaan but writing critical books which analyses socioeconomic situation of a community and suggest a way out which can ignite a debate?

for example Dr. Mahathir Mohamed wrote a book called Malay dilema which outlined challenges Malaysia faced after Malay riots of 1969 and later on when he became a PM he implemented some of the suggestions in the book.


African generally don't read and when they do they do read school textbooks or newspapers, African registers very few books every yr. in view of all these can we say that Lack of literature holds back Africa?

There are two ways through which a nation can develop;

The first one being by a strongman syndrome aka the savior syndrome. This is where you keep dreaming that a Savior, a strong leader will come and lift the nation out of poverty. This is possible, but highly improbable.

The other way, is development through the masses. This is where your argument rests. I would differ though and say that the problem with African nations is not really about people who can't write, but people who don't want to read. As you have said, Africans like reading schoolbook.

Why is that the case?

My argument is simple: the language of instruction. They also can't think because they find thinking taxing, just as they found it difficult when using an unfamiliar language.

. And when you can't think, it is impossible to come up with solutions.