Olopade chapter 5 - The Family Map

Question 1

Reciprocity in trade / daily life / work

Answer 1

-Invert the “fail state” problem
- within states, interactions can be asymmetric, deferential, predatory
- without the state, relations tend to be symmetrical, reciprocal, more supportive

Social capital = an important currency

Question 2

Africa’s family map consists of

Answer 2

Contextual intelligence + universal salience of human relationships

eg: kinship over citizenship
eg: “just ask someone” over google maps

Question 3

The importance of Africa’s family map

Answer 3

Interdependence means independence= the support of life without a state safety net.

Question 4

Features of Africa’s family map

Answer 4

1) Solidarity
2) Communal intelligence
3) Reach

Question 5

Solidarity in family map

Answer 5

• exists both amongst kin and strangers, you help each other out as the premise

Dark side: Nepotism and tribalism + corruption. Leads to lack of trust

Question 6

Communal intelligence

Answer 6

• social networks transmit information fast,
• eg the agriculture fertiliser or difference in circumsicion practices between villages leads to locally generated feedback loops.
  Decentralisation of people
• HIV prevention - power with man, knowledge of how he can change

Question 7

Downsides of African diasporas

Answer 7

Brain-drain from lean economies to fat economies
Leads to a lack of doctors or professionals where they are needed.

Question 7

Reach

Answer 7

• Specifically referring to African diasporas, called “reverse models of colonialism.

Question 8

Upsides of African diasporas

Answer 8

1) Ability to send money home, created many kanju money sending services
2) Mobilising large networks that can achieve major support for home countries
3) Returning home with education that can start grass-roots projects that NGOs may overlook

= BRAINGAIN