Walter Rodney Exposed How America and Europe Looted Africa. Then He Was Murdered by a Car Bomb.

"The question as to who and what is responsible for African underdevelopment can be answered at two levels. First, the operation of the imperialist system bears major responsibility for African economic retardation." — Walter Rodney, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa (1972)

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:e012a590-123c-4013-a12d-f25379126a41-0" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:e012a590-123c-4013-a12d-f25379126a41-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant"> Walter Rodney remains one of the most influential and controversial historians of the twentieth century. In this episode, I examine the life of the Guyanese scholar, political activist, and author of How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. I trace Rodney's research, his views on colonialism, African history, economic development, and the political movements that shaped his career. I also follow his journey through Jamaica, Tanzania, and Guyana, where his ideas inspired supporters while drawing intense opposition.

I also examine the events leading to Walter Rodney's death in 1980, one of the most debated political assassinations in Caribbean history. The episode looks at the official investigations, later commissions of inquiry, the role of the Guyanese government, and the evidence that has emerged over the decades. Rather than relying on rumor, I compare documented historical records, witness testimony, and competing interpretations surrounding Rodney's death. The case raises difficult questions about the actions of the Guyanese – and by extension, the British and American – governments during the Cold War era. It was not until 2021 that the Government of Guyana formally apologized and accepted the findings of the Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that the state had orchestrated Walter Rodney's assassination.

If you are interested in African history, Cold War politics, decolonization, political violence, Guyana, the Caribbean, or revolutionary movements, this episode provides a chronological overview of Walter Rodney's life, scholarship, activism, and lasting influence. It also places Rodney within the broader political conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s, helping explain why his work continues to be studied, debated, and discussed around the world.

Music:  [Sittin' on] T