It's incredible how people can do so much harm to each other. There are few who believe in a peaceful way of life (if there is any), but most prefer destruction, fear and submission from others. The Soccer War (at least the first chapter is all about power), starts off by telling the story of Algeria and its civil war. During this civil war, Ben Bella takes over the country with the help of Boumedienne and his army. At the beginning of his power trip, Ben Bella was loved by most of the country, he seemed to be a great leader, but with great power comes even greater corruption of the human mind. Boumedienne begins to see how the president (Bella) starts to commit a variety of errors as leader and decides to revoke him of his charge by taking control of the country. As one starts the book, it seems that Ben Bella is a great leader that wants to take every problem head one and defeat it. The problem is he gets so involved that he turns into a terrible ruler and is thrown out of his position. "They say that Ben Bella's socialism was sentimental: they say that Ben Bella 'had his heart on the left,' that he simply liked socialism (The Soccer War, Chapter 1, pg. 107)." One can notice that this leader starts off as a good man, but somewhere along the road his original path got separated and he took the wrong one.
I have decided to relate Ben Bella with Idi Amin form the Last King of Scotland. Both of these leader's are overwhelmed with power and decided to make the wrong choices for their country which in Bella's cases causes him his presidential position and in Amin's being the target of the country and many people who wish him dead. It's amazing how these two character's have a very similar resemblance. Although the book doesn't talk about Ben Bella being a murderer, it does say that he took over the power so he could help his people. In Amin's case, we see a man who leads his people to believe he wants to return Uganda to them, but he is only a corrupt, violent and brutal man. They are alike because both become thirsty for power and this leads to chaos not only for themselves, but for their people as well. Their difference comes with Amin being a murderer and Ben Bella a helping man.
"The balance sheet of his government has its indisputable credits: Ben Bella brought order to a country emerging from war; he got Algeria moving: the state apparatus, the economy, education, normal life. he turned over to the workers plantations and factories that the colonists had abondoned. Each time he nationalized and enterprise, it was and act of bravery. He prevented civil war that was threatening the country and would have plunged it into a long decline. He prepared a programme of agricultural reform which changed the lives of several hundred thousand Algerian workers. He conferred on Algeria the prestige of becoming a leading country in the Third World, wanting Algeria to be the bridge between Europe and Africa. He opened Africa and the Arav world to the Europeans left and to Communist parties. he was an active spokesman in the fight against colonialism (The Soccer War, Chapter 1, pg. 107)."
- What happend to Ben Bella? Was he killed or captured?
- Will Boumedienne become a better president?
- How long will Boumedienne remain in power?
- What will happen in Algeria?
- Will other countries notice Algeria?
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Can you post a clip?
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