<P> Advocates of the concept cite improved standards of health and education, employment opportunities, liberal markets, developed natural resources and introduced improved governance . The first wave of benign colonialism lasted from c. 1790 - 1960, according to Mill . The second wave included neocolonial policies exemplified in Hong Kong, where unfettered expansion of the market created a new form of benign colonialism . Political interference and military intervention in independent nation - states, such as Iraq, is also discussed under the rubric of benign colonialism in which a foreign power preempts national governance to protect a higher concept of freedom . The term is also used in the 21st century to refer to US, French and Chinese market activities in African countries with massive quantities of underdeveloped nonrenewable natural resources . </P> <P> These views have support from some academics . Economic historian Niall Ferguson argued that empires can be a good thing provided that they are "liberal empires". He cites the British Empire as being the only example of a "liberal empire" and argues that it maintained the rule of law, benign government, free trade and, with the abolition of slavery, free labour . Historian Rudolf von Albertini agrees that, on balance, colonialism can be good . He argues that colonialism was a mechanism for modernisation in the colonies and imposed a peace by putting an end to tribal warfare . </P> <P> Historians L.H Gann and Peter Duignan have also argued that Africa probably benefited from colonialism on balance . Although it had its faults, colonialism was probably "one of the most efficacious engines for cultural diffusion in world history". These views, however, are controversial and are rejected by some who, on balance, see colonialism as bad . The economic historian David Kenneth Fieldhouse has taken a kind of middle position, arguing that the effects of colonialism were actually limited and their main weakness wasn't in deliberate underdevelopment but in what it failed to do . Niall Ferguson agrees with his last point, arguing that colonialism's main weaknesses were sins of omission . Marxist historian Bill Warren has argued that whilst colonialism may be bad because it relies on force, he views it as being the genesis of Third World development . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs expansion . You can help by adding to it . (June 2008) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

What can you consider as causes of military rule in west africa