The Political Economy of China―US Relations: Digital Futures and African Agency (International Political Economy Series)

✍ Scribed by Mzukisi Qobo

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 258
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book offers a rich perspective on Africa’s agency in the changing global order marked by intense geopolitical contestations. It discusses ways in which the African continent has been on the margins of the global economic system because of the actions of major powers and Africa’s own leaders, and how this legacy can be overcome. The book covers an uncharted ground in analyzing the intersection between geopolitical rivalry, digital futures, and Africa’s place in the world. This text makes a clarion call for African leaders and citizens to define better development pathways for the continent through insisting on ethical and transformation leadership as well as building credible institutions that are inclusive. This, according to the author, will ensure a sounder basis for Africa’s positive agency. Further, the book makes a strong case for structural transformation that is innovation-led, and that African decision-makers should leverage US-China rivalries to achieve Africa’sown development interests.

✦ Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
About the Author
Abbreviations
Part I Imperfections of the International Liberal Order and Africa’s Plight
1 The Liberal Internationalist Order and Its Discontents
The Character of the Liberal Internationalist Order and US Normative Dissonance
Realism in International Relations
The Balance Sheet of US Leadership Since Bretton Woods
China’s Challenge to the Liberal Internationalism?
Hegemony and Global Stability in History
Developing Countries and the Leadership of Multilateral Institutions
Developing Countries at the Bretton Woods Conference
Concluding Reflections
References
2 Africa and Defective Multilateralism
Multilateralism and Its Defects
Development Weaknesses in the International Monetary System
Failure to Address Developmental Concerns of Developing Countries
Counter-Movement by Developing and African Countries
Failures of Postcolonial Elites and External Dependence
Concluding Reflections
References
3 Africa in the Multilateral Trading System
The Evolution of the Multilateral Trading System
The Uses and Abuses of Multilateral Trade by Advanced Economies
Africa on the Margins of Global Trade
Imbalances at the Uruguay Round and Agriculture Liberalization
African Countries and Power Asymmetries in the Multilateral Trading System
Concluding Reflections
References
Part II Africa as a Theatre for Major Power Rivalries
4 Implications of China–US Rivalry on Africa
China’s Quest for Global Supremacy
Africa’s Geopolitical Positioning and Economic Diplomacy
From Hegemonic Incorporation to Strategic Rivalry
Instruments of Hegemonic Incorporation: The Strategic Economic Dialogue
China–Africa’s Relations and Its Discontents
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
The Future of China’s Engagement in Africa
Concluding Reflections
References
5 The Evolution of US–Africa Relations: From Idealism to Realpolitik
Growing US Interest in Africa During the Cold War
Race Relations in Historical Perspective and Influence on US Foreign Policy
The Shift in America’s Tone and Early Signs of US–Africa Engagement
US Foreign Policy Engagement Under Nixon
US Foreign Policy and Political Tensions in Southern Africa Beyond Nixon
Concluding Reflections
References
6 US–Africa’s Engagement from Clinton to Trump
Clinton and the Era of US Commercial Diplomacy
Clinton and the Changing Character of US–Africa Policy
The Political Uses of Trade
US–South Africa Tensions Over Poultry and AGOA
US Foreign Policy Priorities in Africa Under Bush
Obama’s Tentative Foray in Africa
Trump and Africa: An Absent Foreign Policy
Concluding Reflections
References
Part III Digital Futures and African Agency
7 Paradigms, Inclusive Institutions, and Structural Transformation
Paradigms of Development
Looking Beyond Structural Transformation
Is Africa Rising or Varied Development Paths?
Possibilities That Lie in Structural Diversification
Africa’s Structural Transformation and Global Value Chains
The Role of Institutions in Africa’s Development
Toward Variable Geometry in Development Paths
Nigeria
Kenya
Ethiopia
Mozambique
Rwanda
Concluding Reflections
References
8 Africa’s Digital Futures
The Outlines of a Digital Economy in Africa
Digital Economy as a Catalyst for Africa’s Development
The New Era of Africa’s Tech Entrepreneurs
Digital Transformation and Regional Integration Efforts
Constraints to Africa’s Digital Transformation
Concluding Reflections
References
9 US–China Tech Wars: Shaping Africa’s Agency
The Character of the Tech Wars
Tensions in Commercial and Regulatory Systems
Chinese Measures Against the United States
Competition Over 5G
5G and Africa
Cybersecurity and Regulation in the Era of AI
Cybersecurity Implications for Africa
Concluding Reflections
References
Epilogue
Leadership, Institutions, and Africa’s Future
The Future of International Relations
Bibliography
Index