Society in Guns, Germs, and Steel
The book elicits crucial arguments as to why certain communities and societies prospered while others seemed to decline form back in time up to now. The book Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond offer a fresh perspective that explains the demise and the success of certain societies. Pacing back to the initial chapters of the book, Jared begins by introducing Yali, a young man from New Guinea curious as to the reasons his colonizers seemed to have more cargo and seemingly more so advanced than his own country was (Diamond, 1999: pp.13). Throughout the book, the writer attempts to answer Yali’s question, but the answer is not as conclusive as it would be expected. Sure, some of the reasons that led to most African societies such as Yali’s are quite valid as presented in the book. However, many of the reasons cited in support for the supremacy of most European and American countries at that time have become applicable in most African societies. For example, European societies developed faster due to the agrarian revolution. Africa and its societies have since undergone the agrarian revolution and are still no closer to being as supreme as the Eurasians countries mentioned in the book. Encompassing the reasons cited in the book for Africans failure and comparing them to today’s society, maybe a conclusion can come forth as to what the Eurasians countries are doing different from the African countries to continue their supremacy in the international system.
According to the book, Eurasians countries had a significant head start due to the first practices of agriculture. This revolution characterized the world’s inherent differences. The Fertile Crescent areas realized most of the benefits of the agrarian revolution based on the supremacy in terms of accommodating seasonal changes and enjoyable climates, the people from these regions were able to practice agriculture (Diamond 104). Having observed this from the fertile crescent, Europe having just about similar climates and latitudes began growing the same produce and keeping the same animals as the crescent. Seeing that their geography allowed it, they were able to attract markets for their surplus produce thereby creating a stable economy for themselves characterized by imports and exports. The necessity to transport their produce from east to west necessitated the spearheading the use of pertinent inventions such as the wheel. While the Eurasians practiced animal domestication, Africans at the time still practiced hunting and gathering. Apparently, this was possible because the animals in Europe were suitable for domestication while those in Africa were too fierce to domesticate (Diamond, 1999:pp.131). Development in terms of agriculture required a stable authority to keep everything in order hence the creation of government. This consequently led to the advancement of writing and reading and most importantly advancement in the military sector. Contact with the animals they domesticated also enabled them to build a strong immunity against diseases mainly because animals carry with them dormant germs (Diamond, 1999:pp.195) Whenever the Eurasians travelled or encountered other people, they would pass on these germs to natives. Natives not being as immune as the Eurasians, they would succumb to the effects of the germs in their systems. Having secured the agricultural sector, Eurasians could relax and think of new things to invent as they did not worry about food. Interaction with other nations also inspired them to create mechanisms that would protect their societies and their food; hence military advancement (Diamond, 1999: pp.239). This advancement enabled them to conquer lands in America, the Far East and Africa. Conquering these lands brings the cycle back to Yali’s question. All the factors for development stated as having being experienced in Eurasians countries are the reason for European dominance over African or even some American societies. The colonization period also allowed them to gain wealth and become stronger hence leading to the globalization period that ensured their supremacy further.
Currently, Africa is still trying to catch up with the Eurasians. Globalization is one aspect that makes development difficult. European and American countries globalised at such a fast pace making it more and more difficult for African societies to catch up. Exchange of culture and knowledge has become easier due to the internet. African societies did not begin to enjoy the complexities provided by the internet until less than a century ago. Therefore, in a big way, guns, germs and steel continue to undermine the chances of Africa’s dominance. Initially, America was not a force with which to reckon, but when the Europeans invaded America, they transferred the knowledge they already had to their societies (Diamond, 1999: p.354-375). Americans were fast learners, they, in turn, transferred the expertise to certain areas such as petroleum, and steel and they were able to catch up to the Eurasians and even surpass their dominance. Why then, did African societies not implement or adopt the changes that came with European and American colonizers? It could be because the colonizers were not extremely keen on transferring all their knowledge to Africans. Jared mentions in his book that white colonialists were not exceedingly receptive of African people due to their primitive lifestyle (Diamond, 1999: pp.14). Had the colonizers given African societies half a chance, maybe they would not still be trying to compete with societies that have already developed. Most colonizers viewed Africans as being primitive and uncultured because of their rich culture. Colonizers would not have misunderstood Africans had attempted to integrate their ‘backward’ culture into the little knowledge they passed on to the communities. Instead, they passed on the insufficient knowledge and left them trying to grapple to make it useful into their society. To conclude, African societies are still as undermined as they were by Eurasians or American societies. European countries continue to dominate the happenings of the international system. African societies can only advance further if the dominant countries step in attempts to integrate development with the rich African culture. Otherwise, the guns and germs will continue to undermine their advancement (1999: pp.376-400).
Reference
Diamond, Jared M. Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. New York,
NY [u.a.: Norton, 1999. Print.
