Thugs or Entrepreneurs? Perceptions of Matatu Operators in Nairobi, 1970 to the Present

Africa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenda Mutongi
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Collective Guilt ◽  
High Speeds ◽  
Loud Music ◽  
New Nation

AbstractThis essay examines the changing perceptions of matatu crews from the 1970s to the present. In the early 1970s commuters and many Kenyans typically viewed the matatu operators as an important, enterprising group of people, contributing to the economic development of the new nation of Kenya. This perception changed drastically in the 1980s when commuters, and indeed many Kenyans of all ranks, increasingly saw the matatu operators as thugs engaging in excessive behaviour – using misogynistic language, rudely handling passengers, playing loud music and driving at dangerously high speeds. Worse, the matatu operators were forced to join cartels that fought against reform and enabled this kind of behaviour. Nevertheless, I argue that, in many ways, the commuters have been complicit in creating the notorious matatu man – a creature they purport to hate, and then have conveniently used as a scapegoat whenever they see fit. In other words, the commuters have created the monster and then attacked it in order to exorcise their collective guilt.

Financing a new nation: a comparative study of the financial roots of the USA and Gran Colombia

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-26
Author(s):  
John Muse-Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Different Shapes ◽  
New Nation

AbstractThe structure of the USA and the countries that emerged from the remains of Gran Colombia ultimately took different shapes from those suggested in the era immediately after independence, particularly in regard to the extent of each state's fiscal and monetary capacities. This article applies Oszlak's model of ‘stateness’ to the early financial and monetary histories of the USA (roughly 1776–93) and Gran Colombia (roughly 1819–35) to assess and compare the role of financial and monetary capacities in long-run state consolidation and economic development. The US was ultimately more successful than Gran Colombia at adapting its financial and monetary capacities and institutions, creating better conditions for the attainment of ‘stateness’, stronger economic growth, and greater endurance as a national entity. The comparison ultimately suggests a reciprocal relationship between the legitimization of a state's authority (that is, state consolidation) and the development and solidification of fiscal and monetary capacities.

Bangladesh, Bangladesh!—A Review Article

1986 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 789-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Thorp
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Sharp Increase ◽  
Political History ◽  
Culturally Sensitive ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Neoclassical Economic ◽  
Vast Array ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Limited Experience ◽  
New Nation

In 1981 Bangladesh celebrated its first decade of independence. This milestone was marked by a sharp increase in publications about the new nation. Authors are fascinated and not a little surprised that the “international basketcase” of 1971 has survived a vast array of economic, social, and political afflictions. The authors are also concerned about the continuing survival of Bangladesh. Current writing is concentrated on either its political history or problems of economic development and represents a major contribution to filling gaps in our knowledge of Bangladesh. Unfortunately, although most contemporary authors have limited experience in Bangladesh, they do have well-developed theoretical perspectives that guide their constructions of Bangladeshi reality. Current writing proffers Weberian, neoclassical economic, and Marxist interpretations of Bangladesh. Little fresh, in-depth, culturally sensitive, representative reporting of Bangladeshis' own interpretations of the present and aspirations for the future is being done. Academia is failing the majority of Bangladeshis by not taking seriously their ideas, aspirations, and abilities.

The Weaning of the American Economy: Independence, Market Changes, and Economic Development

1964 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon C. Bjork
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
The State ◽  
Economic Health ◽  
New Nation ◽  
American Economy ◽  
Market Changes

Disagreement on the state of the economic health of the new nation has persisted since contemporary observers disputed over the changes wrought by the end of the War for Inpendence. In recent years, diagnosis has ranged from the gloomy picture of commercial depression painted by Curtis Nettels to the rather different evaluation of Merrill Jensen, who found the period “one of extraordinary economic growth.”

scholarly journals Economic Vision of Allama Iqbal

2002 ◽  
Vol 41 (4II) ◽  
pp. 983-987
Author(s):  
Fateh M. Chaudhri
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
The World ◽  
Great Poet ◽  
New Nation ◽  
Freedom Fighter

Allama Iqbal used both poetry and prose in Persian, Urdu and English to convey his multi-dimensional feelings and thoughts. According to one scholar, “Iqbal was a humanist and true citizen of the world. His works testify to his acknowledged roles as poet and philosopher, educator and student of cultures, lawyer and politician, missionary and visionary, psychologist and sociologist, freedom fighter and inspirer of a new nation, scholar and a man of action, mystic, seer and statesman”.1 As an all time great poet, Allama Iqbal had two shining characteristics—an artistic one that presents poetry for leisurely enjoyment and a visionary one that propels inspirational beams for action and reform. As a great poet he also had a huge canvas to paint on, and his subjects are big issues like humanity. In most of his writings Allama Iqbal talks about the significance of man and his dignity, freedom not only from political subjugation and intellectual servility but also from hunger, ignorance, physical and spiritual illnesses and other social and economic development issues facing the poor and the weak nations of the East. As a universal humanist, Allama Iqbal waged a relentless struggle to promote and defend human self-esteem. Some scholars believe that “even his advocacy of Pakistan was really based on humanist considerations”. He could not bear to see one religions group dominating another simply because of numerical majority.2

For Those About to Rock

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-35
Author(s):  
Jennifer Tufts
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cultural Landscape ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Informed Decisions ◽  
Hearing Health ◽  
Loud Music ◽  
Protective Strategies

Loud music and noisy hobbies are part of our cultural landscape. These activities can be enjoyed with minimal risk to hearing if a few commonsense guidelines are followed. Educating clients about risks and protective strategies will empower them to make informed decisions about their hearing health that best reflect their values and priorities. In this article, the author covers essential information to avoiding noise-induced hearing loss, writing in easily accessible language to better help clinicians convey this information to their clients.

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