Dependent Nation: The Primary Economic Reason for Government Failure and Under-Development in Liberia


  •  Stephen H. Gobewole    

Abstract

This study examines financial practices that make the Liberian government dependent on foreign assistance, international debts, and concession agreements to support its operation and public projects. It analyzes survey and economic data collected by The World Bank Group, Macrotrends Global Metrics, Afrobarometer Survey Data, ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, and U.S. Foreign Assistance statistics, correlating associations between variables including outstanding debts, foreign investment inflow, United States’ aid dollars, and personal remittances received to show the economic disadvantage of this policy approach. The result reveals that perpetually receiving international community financial assistance causes dependency, which is unlikely to enhance productive capability, develop domestic firms, create permanent employment, and improve citizens’ standards of living. Only an industrial policy managed by an independent government will create an economic structure that Liberia needs to prosper.    



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