Happy Birthday Kenneth D. Kaunda
I have never had anyone person linked with socialism or communism to talk about in my economics beliefs, except Kaunda. The former Zambian president has impressed me, not with what he has done, but what those that came after him failed to do. I'm a strong believer of letting the forces of the market determine what is produced, supplied and consumed. But only to the extent that Government oversees these activities through fiscal, monetary measures and also any that will ensure equity and avoid abuse from the capitalist.
So Kaunda would is expected to rank low in my list of great men in my economics, but this man has really impressed me in what he did for his country and the region. He had done more public works than you normally would have expected of him. But this is little compared to what we could have. But yet, I argue, none who took over as a president of this country came even close to what he did! So then, his works stand out, not because of what he failed to do or could have done, but because whoever came after, was interested in other issues than the welfare of the Zambia people. I have weaknesses with that. I prefer to see works standing that cadres shouting or writing books of what they did or did not do when Kaunda's works still stand! If they have fallen (like most roads and streets in many cities), its because the current leadership or the one they took over from has failed to simply maintain the infrastructure. That is the sad story.
So what economics would I call this? I know it will be a socialist kind, but maybe call it by what he believed in "Humanism". I did a quick search online for what it really means and I have found many links to one kind or the other. I have no idea which one Kaunda linked himself with.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism
http://www.humanism.org.uk/humanism
But what 'Humanism Economics' was it if there is anything like that. The close one I could find was Humanistic economics which is associated with E. F. Schumacher a German born economist. This aspect of economics as Wikipedia puts it: "Proponents argue for "humanity-first" economic theories as opposed to the ideas in mainstream economic theory which they see as putting financial gain before people."
So was Kaunda following the doctrines of Humanistic economics? After all, his intentions shows he had people to look after. Most of his decisions were centered on people's welfare - regardless of where they were from. So does that take him to that level?
I know many South African freedom fighters love the man and what he did for them in the spirit of helping 'fellow man'. They adore his efforts. Many people in Zambia appreciate him after years of political power condemnation of him, only to stand less than him on what they did for this country. It is such ideas which make me ask the doctrine of one such called humanism relating to economics. How many writers came up with theories of what this school of thought had about human beings? Can it be a moderate socialism? A hybrid of capitalism and socialism with positive aspects from both schools married in one? Can people be made the center of every action? What can we produce in a nation if the main focus is on creating and uplifting the lives of the people? Can economics really be human centered and not financial gain centered?
I still search for answers to those questions. In so doing I wish to thank Kenneth D. Kaunda for having taken your time to look at an angle we may wish to look at when we approach matters that concern our beloved country. I still see many buildings that you built, many roads, hospitals, clinics, houses and I wonder every day what the para-statal companies now sold would have been turned into, if we had a well calculated effort to push the country out of poverty into the mainstream glory we desire. A regional super-house. I know that dream fades every day, I just wonder which economics will save the country.
Happy birthday!
