Intelligence and Slave Exports from Africa

Abstract

This article examines the role of cognitive ability or intelligence on slave exports from Africa. We test a hypothesis that countries which were endowed with higher levels of cognitive ability were more likely to experience lower levels of slave exports from Africa probably due to comparatively better capacities to organize, co-operate, oversee and confront slave traders. The investigated hypothesis is valid from alternative specifications involving varying conditioning information sets. The findings are also robust to the control of outliers. JEL: I20, I29, N30

Culture, trauma and dissociation: A broadening perspective for our field

“…The article was retracted when racial biases underlying the study were pointed out, i.e., a possible perception that certain racial groups had lesser cognitive ability than others. A second study involving a staff member of the University of Cape Town focused on intelligence and slave exports from Africa (Asongu & Kodila-Tedika, 2019). In response to the latter study, criticism was directed toward the flawed assumption about the cognitive ability or intelligence of entire countries, which produced the effect of victim blaming and pathologizing Africans (Isaacs & Daniels, 2019, quoting Adam Haupt).…”

Attitudinal difference surveys perpetuate harmful tropes: A comment on Nattrass, S. Afr. J. Sci.

“…The first article was authored by Stellenbosch University researchers who reported on low cognitive functioning of coloured women linked to education levels and lifestyles 2 ; see comment by Le Grange 3 . The second article was co-authored by an adjunct professor at UCT and examined the role of cognitive ability or intelligence on slave exports from Africa 4 . These publications gave rise to a broader debate on enduring racism in science and the re-ascendency of race science internationally.…”