Moral economies of distribution and redistribution in Africa: the right and wrong of who gets (and gives) what and why.

This article explores the moral economies of distribution and redistribution in Africa, focusing on the fairness of capitalist systems and the unequal distribution of wealth. It argues that understanding the moral views and contestations surrounding distribution and redistribution is crucial for understanding African societies and economies. The text discusses the concept of moral economy and its application in various African settings, highlighting the complexities of redistribution and the use of moral arguments to accept or reject requests for redistribution. It also examines redistributive practices among elites in Equatorial Guinea, the moral beliefs of female traders, the moral contestations surrounding diamond mining in Zimbabwe, and the culture of wealth redistribution in Southern Ethiopia. The article emphasizes that individuals in these settings have strong moral views on distribution and redistribution, but that moral critiques often do not lead to structural changes in distributive outcomes. [Extracted from the article]