Madagascar in Turmoil Again

From the pro-globalist news service Reuters comes a report dated November 19th from Madagascar, the huge island nation off the coast of southern Africa and fourth largest on Earth.

The report tells of a general, known by his nickname "Fidy", that has gone into hiding after failing in an attempt to overthrow the government in Antananarivo, the capital. He was not allowed to run in the nation's presidential elections because he didn't pay a deposit. The elections are to be held on December 6th. In a report from allAfrica.com, Fidy claimed he wasn't trying to take over by force and was "mis-interpreted".

In 2001, the nation ground to a halt when supporters of then incumbent socialist president Didier Ratsiraka and big business millionaire rival Marc Ravalomanana clashed over election results. Eight months of fighting would pass before Ratsiraka was forced into exile in France. Ravalomanana has since decentralized the government, pledging also to fight corruption in it's structures as well. But gross poverty still remains and Ratsiraka's supporters are still active in the country.

The country is the largest producer of vanilla in the world, but is one of the poorest nations in Africa. Gross domestic product declined in the wake of the 2001 crisis. As reported in the BBC's profile of this nation, it also had two cyclones hit it in 2000 and 2004, leaving thousands without shelter. Per capita income is US$290 a year. The World Bank report, in the BBC profile, that 70% percent of the people live on less than a dollar a day.

The current government has made great strides in decentralizing, as far as Distributism is concerned. But it still has a long way to go.

Agriculture is the main employer in the country, but it must become more diversified and not dependent on cash crops like vanilla, coffee and cinnamon. Small scale businesses and cooperatives must be allowed to flourish, especially in light and heavy manufacturing. Intermediate technology - especially in energy generation - must be more widespread than in the past. Social policies that protect traditional and extended families, as well as fighting the Sexual Revolution, must be maintained and strengthened. And the country must leave both the UN and the WTO, who would in the end shackle the island nation in the tyranny of a World State.

Like in so many other countries, Madagascar has the potential to become a Distributist state. So let the people know about it and the insights of Belloc, Chesterton and their legitimate successors. And with God's grace and hard work, the Malagasy people will see better and saner days ahead.