The Left and Right Brains of KG

Is the knowledge and view of brain drain perceived differently depending on your politics? Brain Drain may seem bad, but do politics have a say in how one perceives it? Kasper Gieldon, Chairman of MSU Kungsholmens Gymnasium and Babak Mostafaee, Chairman of KUR (Kungsholmens Unga Röda) have been interviewed separately to justify the claims that politics play a key role in the outcome of a nation such as Zambia. The system in Zambia today has been explored already in part one of “Brain Drain in Zambia”, and now part two, a commentary of part one is presented.

As a country which has quite significant differences in living standards and this mostly due to the colonization era, does Sweden carry a responsibility to help out by any means possible?

Babak: “From the beginning the African tribes and societies on the continent were self-sufficient; small corporative societies who managed life together and by themselves. With the arise of colonialism and later on imperialism, today’s western countries mainly represented by European ones smashed apart the structure of these societies and forced them into the free market. Their natural resources were exploited and their people were enslaved. The results of the ravages made of the African countries, we can see today. Starvation, poverty, lack of proper infrastructure and constant warfare’s creating instability on the continent. We do have a responsibility.

Kasper Gieldon, ES3A

Kasper: “Different generation’s equal different times, and we have changed and developed a lot since the colonial era. Sweden as a democracy should always be helping, representing freedom to countries which have none. One must be remember that Sweden is one of the most developed and prosperous countries in the world. We have been successful because we’ve allowed people in this country to shape their freedom and development of different dreams. It is unjustified to see how Zambia’s rulers do not allow the people the democratic change that is needed, and this is where the international community should strongly petition for human rights and freedom. Sweden, however, geographically speaking is a very small country, and even internationally quite marginal. For Sweden to help Zambia, it must be done through global organizations, in which Sweden should always be a leading voice for freedom.”

Babak Mostafaee, EN3A

The “problem” of brain drain is usually coined with privatization, any comments?

Kasper: “Open free market economy is important. For local production to exist in a country like Zambia, privatization is needed to stimulate local workforce thus providing jobs to as many as possible. The basis of a free market economy is that there is economic freedom. In Zambia this does not apply as privatization took place through corruption and lawlessness. The basis for Zambia is to give people more freedom by democratizing the country.”

Babak: “It’s very hard to maintain a welfare type of system of the model we have in Sweden, when the economy is in such a bad state as the one in Zambia. When the state is infested with corruption, lacking proper incomes and control over the finances I would definitely not recommend nationalization of all the companies and factories. At most the countries natural resources should be nationalized, providing a steady income of some sort, and the state should also try to run vital structures such as hospitals, schools etc.”

A solution was presented by Mr Lushomo Mundenda Elijah, to nationalize the banking system band use that for the benefit of the people and this would be step one, any comments?

Babak: “The state cannot force a nationalization of the banking system, because the opposing forces, such as the capitalist countries would quickly impose sanctions for trade leaving the country vulnerable, one example of this is in Zimbabwe. Educated workforce on the internal market is extremely important; money should be spent on educating the people and efforts should be made to keep this educated work force put in the country. What is also helpful is if one removes tariffs and trade taxation on the term that EU removes its enormous support to its own farmers because the EU agricultural worker easily outcompetes the Zambian one (due to massive financial support). Before anything can be done one has to get rid of corruption. That should be the number one rule when trying to fix Zambia. The state’s job is to take care of its citizens.”

Kasper: “Open free market is very important as the individual freedom is the strongest point of life. Local production must also work but privatization must be allowed. More money swindling will just occur if you were to nationalize the banks. The first thing that has to be done in order to build a stable economy is to democratize the country, instituting the basic human rights, and a fair voting system. But first and foremost is to get rid of corruption or else privatization or nationalization won’t work.”

The IMF and the World Bank are known organizations for assisting in this type of international relations, they will usually emphasize brain drain as a good thing, whilst it has gotten critique that it for example will not focus on the well-being of the citizens. Any comments on their actions?

Kasper: “When a country is corrupted and it has a bad economy the IMF and World Bank are essential organizations for a country’s support. They will try and aid the country, and once it has given them a good basis and a democracy has been established then they should not interfere with as the economy and lives are best lived privately and not controlled by a worldwide organization. What is also a common misunderstanding is the belief of brain drain as a negative thing. It builds upon the most intellectual and as such the most hard working of citizens. IMF helps them to realize their dream. There are two clear options. Either you give people in Zambia, the freedom to seek out other parts of the world to search prosperity or you can enclosure them in Zambia and force them to remain. I believe in freedom instead of walls”

Babak: “IMF and World Bank may seem like they are doing the right thing, but in reality is always acting in the interest of another third member party. They usually demand privatization of various things, they will encourage brain drain in order to open up the country even further to the free market.”

Does the ordinary citizen of Sweden carry a responsibility, or any European average Joe, concerning brain drain and/or Zambia?

Babak: “Each citizen here is blessed to live in conditions that are set to a rather high standard of living. People in Zambia have to cope with harsh things every day and have a lot less tools to help them deal with it. At this moment Sweden gives 1 % of its GDP as aid money and that is enough, as long as that money solely goes to aid.”

Kasper: “The best thing to do first is to vote for the right party, by voting for the right party it will ensure that where there is no democracy it will fight to sustain it.”

Text: Patrick Conde and William Ondusye
Photo: Rui-Xin Li