Submitted by chris rudder, Sep 3, 2007 22:49

Thomas Malthus was right on in his prediction that human growth will eventually exceed the Earth's ability to sustain it. Having said that Africa is caught perfectly in this trap. The single best way to bring a third world nation out of its current state is to educate. With a population growth that could reach over 4% Africa will be facing EXPLOSIVE explosive growth. Any population experiencing 1% growth will double their population in 70 years, 35 years for 2%. Do we want this amount of growth?

Jefferey Sachs is promising $110 per head to end disease and high death rates in Africa by increasing crops and a substantial increase in health care. First of all these will be beneficial in the short term but will not put a dent in any progress for the long term. Education is the foundation for industrialization. If Jeffery Sachs really wants to help Africa pull itself out of this vicious cycle he will focus on educating the people. But as I said before in the global system we are in the Malthusian trap. Eventually the entire world will outstretch it's resources even though when you look at countries like America we seem to be doing just fine. Africa can become industrialized with the right strategy put in place with an emphasis on education but at what cost?

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