The Demise of Capitalism, the Rise of Global Corporatism, and the Path to a United Africa
BY: OMOLAJA MAKINEE
For centuries, human societies have witnessed the evolution of economic systems that reflect the philosophies, technologies, and moral frameworks of their times. From the feudal agrarian economies of the West to industrial capitalism, each epoch left its mark, both in human prosperity and in exploitation.
Today, we stand at the cusp of a new era—a global corporatist economy that is not merely an economic model, but a social, technological, and philosophical revolution. For Africa, this represents an unprecedented opportunity: to rise from the economic shadows of colonialism and protégé dependency and reclaim its place as a united, self-sufficient continent.
1. The End of Capitalism: Lessons from History
Capitalism emerged in the West as a response to feudal society. The bourgeoisie challenged the aristocratic elites, converting a labour force of peasants and serfs into wage earners who participated in the industrial and commercial economy. Over time, capitalism became the dominant global system, driving economic production, trade, and accumulation of wealth. Yet, for all its achievements, capitalism is inherently exploitative. Its framework thrives on self-interest, greed, and competition, and it systematically generates economic inequality. While it created unprecedented wealth in Europe, the Americas, and parts of Asia, it left Africa—once the cradle of civilisation—dependent, dispossessed, and vulnerable to the whims of foreign powers.
For African societies, colonialism reinforced capitalism’s inequities. The interdependent, cooperative economic structures of ancient African civilisations—based on altruism, communal labour, and ethical governance—were dismantled. African leaders who sought to revive traditional African socialism after independence faced an impossible challenge: rejecting capitalism without the technological and infrastructural means to implement a sustainable alternative. As a result, Africa’s economies remained trapped in a protégé-state system, reliant on aid and trade dictated by foreign powers, unable to achieve true economic self-sufficiency.
2. The Rise of Global Corporatism
The late 20th and early 21st centuries heralded a radical transformation. With the advent of computers, Information Technology, and now Artificial Intelligence, the means of production themselves have changed. Capitalism, based on industrial machinery, private ownership of capital, and hierarchical control of labour, has become incompatible with the digital, decentralised, and innovation-driven economy.
Global corporatism, as it emerges today, is defined by Corposense—the intellectual capability of individuals to generate wealth and value through knowledge, skills, and digital enterprise. Unlike capitalism, which privileges capital and property, corporatism empowers individuals and communities collectively to participate in the economy based on their talents, ingenuity, and collaboration. E-marketeers, digital innovators, influencers, and vocational corporatists are rewriting the rules: ownership of capital is no longer the gatekeeper of economic power; intelligence, creativity, and digital agency are.
Global corporatism also recognises the limits of exploitation. Nature is no longer a passive supplier of resources to be plundered for profit. Corporatist societies integrate environmental stewardship, technological efficiency, and sustainable production, ensuring that economic growth does not destroy the very systems upon which life depends. Renewable energy, AI-driven agriculture, e-commerce, and remote digital enterprise exemplify a system designed to balance human needs with planetary sustainability.
3. Africa in the Era of Corporatism
For Africa, the rise of global corporatism is not just an opportunity—it is a chance to reclaim its historical economic identity. Ancient African societies thrived on cooperative economies, collective labour, and ethical governance. The principles of Ma’at—truth, balance, order, and harmony—defined the governance of ancient Kemet and, by extension, all ethical African stewardship. These principles align naturally with corporatism, where collaboration, shared responsibility, and collective prosperity are core tenets.
African nations have long suffered from the legacies of colonialism: fragmented borders, artificial national identities, and economic dependency. Today, with corporatism and the digital economy, Africa can reconstruct itself as a united continent. Imagine an Africa where digital marketplaces, knowledge economies, and cooperative ventures transcend national borders; where inter-African trade, shared governance, and ethical investment empower communities collectively; and where young African innovators become the drivers of continental self-sufficiency and prosperity.
This vision is not utopian. Global corporatism provides the transformative structures and tools to bridge the gap between ancient Africa cooperative economies and modern digital economies. The ethno-corporatist model, rooted in African tradition yet technologically empowered, offers a blueprint for scaling micro-level community economies into macro-level continental prosperity.
4. The Path Forward: Ethno-Corporatism and Continental Unity
The question for Africa is no longer whether capitalism failed—it did, and its death is now evident. The question is: how can Africa rise to its potential in the era of corporatism? The answer lies in ethno-corporatism, a system that merges:
- Ancient African cooperative ethics: labour, skill, and wealth shared for communal benefit.
- Modern digital platforms: AI, web-internetisation, e-commerce, technological automation as tools for production and trade.
- Continental solidarity: unified African economic policies, shared infrastructure, and collaborative governance.
Ethno-corporatism allows African nations to operate collectively yet innovate individually, ensuring that no citizen, community, or State is left behind. It restores Africa’s agency in global trade, shifts dependency from foreign aid to internal wealth creation, and positions the continent as an equal participant in the emerging corporatist global economy.
Conclusion: Africa’s Revolution in the 21st Century
The rise of global corporatism marks the death of capitalism and the birth of a new economic era—one defined by knowledge, innovation, sustainability, and collective prosperity. Africa, with its history of cooperative societies and ethical governance, is uniquely positioned to lead in this new order. By embracing ethno-corporatism, the continent can unify its fragmented States, leverage its human corposense, and reclaim its destiny as a hub of innovation, economic self-sufficiency, and cultural resurgence.
Ethno-corporatist revolution is not a Western export—it is a continuation of Africa’s ancient economic wisdom, amplified by technology and collaboration. For this generation of Africa, the future is clear: to rise as one continent, harness the power of Corposense, and achieve prosperity that is collective, ethical, and sustainable.
Africa does not follow the world—it now has the tools to lead it.
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