2 Days To Go! Hurry! Apply For The African Students for Liberty Leadership Programme 

The US-Africa leadership summit holding in Washington from its theme, investing in the next generation, is suggestive of the need to engage and equip the next generation for Africa’s development.
The consensus is clear: No one will develop Africa except us. Some Africans are rising up to the challenge.
Mo Ibrahim, the Sudanese billionaire, speaking at the summit submitted that without good governance there is no hope. Some Africans youths are rising up to the challenge. African Students For Liberty sprang out from the efforts of young Africans to stand up against the negative heritage of tyranny and totalitarianism that has plagued the continent for so long.
These young individuals are dedicated to spreading the ideas of human dignity, individual and economic freedom and the ability to pursue one’s happiness without coercion.
African Students For Liberty therefore provides a platform for African students to generate and share ideas that will lead to a prosperous and liberated Africa. The organization is presently recruiting leaders who are committed to the advancement of liberty on the continent.
The Local Coordinator program provides a community of like-minded people who feel that making Africa more peaceful and more prosperous is a business serious enough to be done professionally. In the program, participants will learn not only what makes individuals and societies free, you will also learn how best to do it.
What is more, youths will be able to teach others through their efforts in promoting liberty in their local communities what works and what doesn't.
In the Local Coordinator program, participants will undergo a virtual two-month management-training course that will open their eyes to the challenges facing their respective communities, and the best tools to address them.
Speaking of his experience, Ajibola Adigun, an Executive Board Member of the organization said: “ The training the program afforded me was a pivotal experience; my experience as an African Students For Liberty leader and my commitment to promoting the ideas of liberty isn't over; I now serve on the executive board of African Students For Liberty after completing a four-month internship at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation in the United States. These experiences have been critical in my personal and professional development.”
 This is an opportunity to contribute to helping our continent become a freer and more prosperous place. If you have a passion for liberty and have the energy and commitment to spread these ideas to a broader audience, the Local Coordinator program is for you.
Through the Local Coordinator program, African Students For Liberty is looking for pro-liberty students who have an unrelenting drive and want to dedicate part of their time to making this world a freer place, but aren’t sure exactly where and how to begin.
The organization is also looking for students who are already organizing or interested in organizing for liberty but would like to elevate their activities to a higher level and professionalize their work and their organizations.
In general, the willingness to work hard on the subject of social change, show an entrepreneurial spirit to go out and take initiative is required. Applications can be found below and are open till August 10.

Apply Here

Source: http://www.africanliberty.org

The Economics of Sex: Beyond Supply and Demand

 The following was written by SFL Campus Coordinators Nathan Goodman and Kelly Kidwell

In a recent piece at the SFL blog, Gannon LeBlanc and Bjarna O’Brien attempt to explain the economics of sex and dating with particular focus on the clichéd question, “Where have all the good men gone?” However, their analysis is riddled with problems.
Perhaps the most glaring issue in the piece is the use of women to represent the supply curve in the market for sex and the portrayal of men as providing demand. This premise reduces women’s bodies to objects that they sell in exchange for nice dinners, financial security, or relationship stability. The oversimplification of the “sex market” as basic supply and demand is also a bad economic premise. This model reduces all women and all men to two homogeneous groups, ignoring varying sexual or relationship preferences and levels of attractiveness. In the real world, both women and men demand and supply sex as independent agents — the relationship goes beyond producer and consumer.
Marina Adshade, an economist linked to in LeBlanc and O’Brien’s post, rejects the over-simplified supply and demand model, arguing that the market for sex and dating “is better described as a barter economy — an economy in which there is no money to simplify transactions.” Dr. Adshade explains that this distinction “goes a long way to explaining why it can take a long time for people to find a partner they like. It’s not because women are setting their price too high; it is simply because these barter economies are horribly inefficient.” In a barter economy, participants need to find a “double coincidence of wants”: in this case, a partner that suits their desires and also desires them. This inefficiency explains why women might wonder “where all the good men have gone,” without using the oversimplified assumptions and unrealistic homogenization of human beings that plague LeBlanc and O’Brien’s explanation.
The barter economy analysis also points to a realistic libertarian solution in a way that the supply and demand oversimplification does not. If women were to create more “good men” by raising the “price of sex,” they would need to recreate the cartel that LeBlanc and O’Brien allege has broken down. But this solution is plagued by what economists call cartel instability. In a cartel, there is an incentive to defect and charge below the price set by the cartel.  In this example, the agreement between women was a high price of sex, but women who defect could have a lot more sex. Cartel instability renders the suggested solution implausible. The only feasible way to preserve the cartel is through coercion or bullying to prevent defection.
On the other hand, if the problem is that dating is an inefficient barter economy in which the right double coincidence of wants is hard to find, individuals are already developing market solutions. Dating sites substantially reduce the transaction costs associated with the search for a compatible partner. From Match.com to Tinder to OkCupid, dating sites allow people to easily and efficiently search for a relationship that satisfies their current needs. Markets and innovation can lower transaction costs, making the “good men” much easier to find.
Another major problem with the argument is that it smuggles a controversial normative assumption into its positive economic analysis without ever justifying it. This assumption is that being a “good man” entails paying a “high price” for sex, presumably by settling down and supporting a woman. This seems an odd way to define “good,” and is mired in socially conservative assumptions about ideal relationships. One odd implication of this assumption is that the best men are those who hire the most expensive prostitutes.  Furthermore, men desire having other traits ascribed to “good men” (e.g., intelligence) for countless reasons unrelated to sex.
The assumption that fewer “good men” exist today than in the past could easily come from frustration with dating’s inefficient barter economy coupled with what Bryan Caplan calls pessimistic bias (while Caplan only discusses the pessimistic bias in terms of traditional economic subjects, it isn’t unreasonable to think it might extend to other facets of life). There are good reasons to think that men have become better, not worse, at least in some key ways. Statistics suggest that rape rates have declined dramatically. Rates of domestic violence have also decreased. Perhaps good men are more common now than ever.
LeBlanc and O’Brien’s analysis is based on false assumptions. Applying economics to understand dating can be illuminating. But one must appreciate the nuance and diversity of real relationships and real preferences, in a way that their piece failed to. This is the key difference between good and bad economics: the former is careful and explicit about its assumptions, whereas the latter makes sweeping generalizations. By understanding relationships as a barter economy and freeing oneself from poor normative judgments, the economics of sex start to make sense and can be applied in a productive and fair way.
Seth Jenks, Jason Lee Byas, Elizabeth Tate, and Grayson English also contributed to this article. 

Source: studentsforliberty.org

Lessons from the 2014 joint UN/AU Economic Report on Africa – By Chofor Che, published at AfricalLiberty.org, 23 July 2014

The 2014 Economic Report on Africa (the 2014 Report) was launched in Yaoundé on the 17 July 2014 under the patronage of Cameroon’s Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development. Present at this launch were top ranking civil servants, economists, private sector actors, academics and members of the international community interested in investing in Africa in general and in Cameroon in particular.

 The report, published by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) focuses on various case studies of states across the African continent, especially Africa’s failure to become adequately industrialized.
The 2014 Report is entitled ‘Dynamic Industrial Policy in Africa: Innovative Institutions, Effective Processes and Flexible Mechanisms.’ According to ECA, the title is a rational addition of the ideas propounded in past editions especially that of 2011 on the part the state has to play in economic transformation. The 2014 Report also pivots on the 2013 Report which focuses on linking Africa’s vast raw materials with industrialization.

According to the 2014 Report, poor industrialization in Africa is due to the fact that African states tend to blindly copy industrialization policies from other states especially states in the West. Other factors which have contributed to Africa’s erroneous industrialization image include a lack of collaboration with other actors especially the private sector and academia.
Apart from exposing Africa’s porous industrialization policies, the 2014 Report paints a positive image of other states in the South like Rwanda, South Africa and Nigeria that have made great strides towards industrialization. The 2014 Report also proposes institutional measures for adequate industrial policies in Africa especially the Central African region, which remains the least industrialized region on the continent. It calls on African states, taking into cognizance limited resources, to invest in adequate infrastructure that would accommodate serious demands of growing industrial sectors.
There is no gainsaying that Africa is in need of policies which reflect the local realities. Governments of States especially in the Central African region have vehemently refused to put in place industrialization policies which promote free markets. Countries like Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville and Gabon continue to export raw materials which could easily be processed at home if these countries were adequately industrialized. The private sector in these states also remains underdeveloped, especially as available human resources remains inadequately trained. Heavy taxes also cripple industrial start ups especially in the Central African region. There are several Africans who have returned home in a bid to start up industries, but the porous industrial policies in place would not allow them flourish.

To make sure that growth is both beneficial and long lasting to all strata on the continent of Africa, states, especially states in the Central African region; need to put in place industrial policies that fit their own local contexts as suggested in the 2014 Report. State Constitutions need to put in place a firm legal foundation upon which adequate industrialization can grow. The constitutional basis for true industrialization then needs to be backed up with legislation grown from consultations with legislators, academics, senior civil servants and members of civil society. Apart from legal instruments, there is also a need for firm administrative and judicial institutions to have clearly defined mandates of formulating and pushing through such policies especially policies which promote free markets. It does not suffice to just have legal instruments and institutions in place. Those who are called upon to follow up on industrialization policies in Africa must be adequately trained with state of the art skills.

A canker worm eating into the fabric of the already poor industrialization image in Africa is corruption. African States need to work extra hard to stamp out corruption especially with respect to industrialization.
If such measures are put in place by state actors in collaboration with the private sector, then Africa may boast of adequate industrialization by 2065. If not, then reports such as the 2014 Report may remain a waste of time and tax payers’ money.
– See more at: http://www.africanliberty.org/content/lessons-2014-joint-unau-economic-report-africa-chofor-che#sthash.WGdIEogP.dpuf

On the 24th of July 2014, France 24 reported that various armed groups met on Wednesday in Congo Brazzaville and agreed on a ceasefire. Over 170 Central African officials also took part in these talks, including members of transitional President Catherine Samba-Panza's government, lawmakers, members of political parties and civil society. France 24 added that there has still been no agreement on important issues such as disarmament.
This very vital peace deal gives the Central African Republic (CAR) an opportunity to remain united and puts aside an envisaged division along religious lines of the war torn state between the Christian south and the Muslim north. The head of the Seleka delegation, Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane, reportedly, had earlier on demanded that a power-sharing deal was a precondition to any peace settlement. Guy-Herve Gbangolo, a representative of the Democratic Front of the Central African People, a militia group operating in western Central African Republic said such a demand by Seleka group was an aberration to a concrete peace deal.
This three-day meeting chaired by Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by representatives of over 30 states was meant to resolve a calamity in the Central African Republic that has led to the death of thousands of civilians and produced more than a million refugees.
According to France 24, even as talks were going on Monday the 21st of July 2014 in Brazzaville, more violence broke out in the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui. This fresh violence led to the death of a former Seleka rebel and sparked new attacks from the anti-Balaka militias.
The Central African Republic plunged into pandemonium in 2013 after the principally Muslim Seleka rebels took over power in a March 2013 coup d’état. This coup d’état was followed by looting, killing and raping between Muslims and Christians. The conflict indeed took the dimension of an inter-religious conflict. The United Nations warned the international community of an ‘ethno-religious cleansing’ in the conflict ridden state during an interview with FRANCE 24in February 2014.
It is important to applaud the efforts towards peace in the Central African Republic. All the same, Africans need to learn from the scenario of the Central African Republic which has led to thousands of deaths. One reason why we continue to have coups d’états in Africa is because regimes in place do not take the interests of individual rights seriously. Free markets are not promoted. Chronic bureaucracy and corruption remains the order of the day especially in states in the Central African region. State institutions such as the judiciaries remain weak and dependent on the executive branch of government.
States like the Central African Republic are very wealthy states but the populace keep on languishing in poverty. This is the reason why armed groups cannot sit back and see corrupt government officials plunder the state’s resources. It is thus vital that in ensuring that the peace deal succeeds, the interests of individuals should be taken into consideration. Free markets should be given a chance to strive in the Central African Republic. President Catherine Samba-Panza's government needs to revamp the private sector and involve both the public and private sectors in policy formulation and implementation.
Disarmament is also crucial in ending the conflict in the Central African region. If both parties really want to end this conflict, then they have to seriously think about disarmament. If not the peace agreement will yield no fruits.
The African Union also needs to be serious about her role in curbing conflict on the continent.  For some time now this international body has received a lot of criticisms for not acting swiftly when a calamity befalls a member state. Why then should tax payers’ money be used for unimportant missions and conferences while Africans continue to die because of conflict? African leaders therefore have a lot to do in ensuring that peace reigns on the continent. We cannot continue to shove under the carpet real problems like youth unemployment and poverty which are serious contributing factors to conflict in Africa and at the same time talk about peace agreements.
A holistic approach which involves all and sundry is thus needed to curb conflict on the African continent such as the one in the Central African Republic. If such measures are taken into consideration especially by African leaders, then we can start envisaging peace in the Central African Region.
Chofor Che is an integral part of the Africanliberty’s Voice of Liberty initiative. He is also a Doctoral Law candidate at the Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape and blogs at http://choforche.wordpress.com/
- See more at: http://africanliberty.org/content/concretizing-peace-deal-central-african-republic-chofor-che#sthash.XjRTE7qo.dpuf

On the 24th of July 2014, France 24 reported that various armed groups met on Wednesday in Congo Brazzaville and agreed on a ceasefire. Over 170 Central African officials also took part in these talks, including members of transitional President Catherine Samba-Panza's government, lawmakers, members of political parties and civil society. France 24 added that there has still been no agreement on important issues such as disarmament.
This very vital peace deal gives the Central African Republic (CAR) an opportunity to remain united and puts aside an envisaged division along religious lines of the war torn state between the Christian south and the Muslim north. The head of the Seleka delegation, Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane, reportedly, had earlier on demanded that a power-sharing deal was a precondition to any peace settlement. Guy-Herve Gbangolo, a representative of the Democratic Front of the Central African People, a militia group operating in western Central African Republic said such a demand by Seleka group was an aberration to a concrete peace deal.
This three-day meeting chaired by Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by representatives of over 30 states was meant to resolve a calamity in the Central African Republic that has led to the death of thousands of civilians and produced more than a million refugees.
According to France 24, even as talks were going on Monday the 21st of July 2014 in Brazzaville, more violence broke out in the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui. This fresh violence led to the death of a former Seleka rebel and sparked new attacks from the anti-Balaka militias.
The Central African Republic plunged into pandemonium in 2013 after the principally Muslim Seleka rebels took over power in a March 2013 coup d’état. This coup d’état was followed by looting, killing and raping between Muslims and Christians. The conflict indeed took the dimension of an inter-religious conflict. The United Nations warned the international community of an ‘ethno-religious cleansing’ in the conflict ridden state during an interview with FRANCE 24in February 2014.
It is important to applaud the efforts towards peace in the Central African Republic. All the same, Africans need to learn from the scenario of the Central African Republic which has led to thousands of deaths. One reason why we continue to have coups d’états in Africa is because regimes in place do not take the interests of individual rights seriously. Free markets are not promoted. Chronic bureaucracy and corruption remains the order of the day especially in states in the Central African region. State institutions such as the judiciaries remain weak and dependent on the executive branch of government.
States like the Central African Republic are very wealthy states but the populace keep on languishing in poverty. This is the reason why armed groups cannot sit back and see corrupt government officials plunder the state’s resources. It is thus vital that in ensuring that the peace deal succeeds, the interests of individuals should be taken into consideration. Free markets should be given a chance to strive in the Central African Republic. President Catherine Samba-Panza's government needs to revamp the private sector and involve both the public and private sectors in policy formulation and implementation.
Disarmament is also crucial in ending the conflict in the Central African region. If both parties really want to end this conflict, then they have to seriously think about disarmament. If not the peace agreement will yield no fruits.
The African Union also needs to be serious about her role in curbing conflict on the continent.  For some time now this international body has received a lot of criticisms for not acting swiftly when a calamity befalls a member state. Why then should tax payers’ money be used for unimportant missions and conferences while Africans continue to die because of conflict? African leaders therefore have a lot to do in ensuring that peace reigns on the continent. We cannot continue to shove under the carpet real problems like youth unemployment and poverty which are serious contributing factors to conflict in Africa and at the same time talk about peace agreements.
A holistic approach which involves all and sundry is thus needed to curb conflict on the African continent such as the one in the Central African Republic. If such measures are taken into consideration especially by African leaders, then we can start envisaging peace in the Central African Region.
Chofor Che is an integral part of the Africanliberty’s Voice of Liberty initiative. He is also a Doctoral Law candidate at the Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape and blogs at http://choforche.wordpress.com/
- See more at: http://africanliberty.org/content/concretizing-peace-deal-central-african-republic-chofor-che#sthash.XjRTE7qo.dpuf

Welcome to African Liberty Students' Organisation, University of Ibadan

Join students from Africa and the rest of the world, from Friday, the 25th of July through Saturday, the 26th of July for a weekend of inspiring lectures, insightful knowledge, and endless networking with pro-liberty students and young professionals from around the world.

By attending the first African Students For Liberty conference, you will hear from top speakers in the freedom movement, network with their pro-liberty students, discover countless opportunities for jobs, internships, conferences and seminars, and have a lot of fun with other students. This event will feature tremendous speakers and panels on the ideas that lead to a free society and the actions necessary to implement them. 

Please feel free to refer your friends to for the conference as space is limited and application closes soon.

This event is free and registration covers, 5 meals, coffee breaks and evening socials.

Venue: Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

 For free registration, visit  HERE.

For full details about the program, visit HERE