Abstract
African development has been largely shaped by developments in the international political system since its integration into this system as colonies, but even more so since independence from the mid-twentieth century. This chapter traces the impact of significant developments in this system on African development since decolonization, and continental, sub-regional and national responses of African countries to these changes. It examines official national and regional approaches to development, as well as the views of African scholars on these approaches and on African development in general during various historical phases of development, with a focus on key changes in the international system in each phase. It is argued that the current international system is shaped by three significant changes that unfolded after 1992: the rise of China as a global economic power; the growing threat to multilateralism and globalisation; and Russia’s new international role. How these changes unfold in the future and Africa responds to these changes shapes development continentally, sub-regionally and nationally.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Achebe, C., 1998, Another Africa. New York: Doubleday.
Adler Nissen, R., C. Galpin, and B. Rosamond. 2017. Performing Brexit: How a post-Brexit world is imagined outside the United Kingdom. The British Journal of Politics and International Relations 19 (3): 573–591.
Adu, G. 2013. Determinants of economic growth in Ghana: Parametric and nonparametric investigations. The Journal of Developing Areas 47 (2): 277–301.
African Union Commission. 2015. Agenda 2063 – The Africa we want: First Ten-Year Implementation Plan 2014–2023. African Union Commission.
Ake, C. 1992. The feasibility of democracy in Africa. Ibadan: CREDU.
———. 1993. The unique case of African democracy. International Affairs 69 (2): 239–244.
———. 1996. Democracy and development. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution.
Akinrade, S., and A. Sesay, eds. 1999. Africa in the Post-Cold War international system. London: Cassel Academic.
Alemazung, J.A. 2010. Post-colonial colonialism: An analysis of international factors and actors marring African socio-economic and political development. The Journal of Pan-African Studies 3 (10): 62–84.
Amin, S. 1972. Underdevelopment and dependence in black Africa-origins and contemporary forms. The Journal of Modern African Studies 10 (4): 503–524.
———. 1974. Accumulation on a world scale. New York: Monthly Review Press.
———. 1976. Unequal development: An essay on the social formations of peripheral capitalism. New York: Monthly Review Press.
———. 1977. Imperialism and unequal development. New York: Monthly Review Press.
Aning, K., and D. Lecoutre. 2008. China’s ventures in Africa. African Security Review 17 (1): 39–50.
Anyanwu, J.C. 2011. Determinants of Foreign direct investment inflows to Africa, 1980–2007. Working Paper No. 136. African Development Bank Group.
Artadi, E.V., and X. Sala-i-Martin. 2003. The economic tragedy of the XXth century: Growth in Africa. National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper Series. NBER. Available from: https://www.nber.org/papers/w9865.pdf.
Ayittey, G. 1998. Africa in Chaos; a comparative history. New York: St Martin’s Press.
Babatunde, M.A. 2012. Africa’s growth and development strategies: A critical review. African Development XXXVII (4): 141–178.
Behar, R. 2008. China surpasses US as leader in sub-Sahara. Fast Company, May 9. Available at: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/126/endgame-hypocrisy-blindness-and-the-doomsday-scenario.html
Berman, B. 1974. Clientelism and neo-colonialism: Center-periphery relations and political development in African states. Comparative International Development 9 (2): 3–25.
Berwouts, K. 2009. The effects of the (end of the) Cold War on Central African politics: How a Cold War turned into a very hot one. Mondiaal Nieuws, November 3. Available from: https://www.mo.be/en/article/effects-end-cold-war-central-african-politics-how-cold-war-turned-very-hot-one
Biersteker, T.J. 1990. Reducing the role of the state in the economy: A conceptual exploration of IMF and World Bank prescription. International Studies Quarterly 24 (4): 477–492.
Boon, K. 2017. Donald Trump and the future of multilateralism. Emory International Law Review 31: 1075–1081.
Brautigam, D.A., and S. Knack. 2004. Foreign aid, institutions, and governance in sub-Saharan Africa. Economic Development and Cultural Change 5292: 255–285.
Breslin, S. 2010. China’s emerging global role: Dissatisfied responsible great power. Politics 30 (S1): 52–62.
Brugier, C. 2014. China’s way: The new Silk Road. ISSUE Briefs, No 14.
Chileshe, C. 2010. Chinese debt, aid and trade: Opportunity or threat for Zambia? South African Institute for International Affairs. Occasional Paper No. 72, December.
Decalo, S. 1992. The process, prospects and constraints of democratization in Africa. African Affairs 91 (362): 7–35.
Djankov, S. 2016. The rationale behind China’s Belt and Road initiative. In China’s Belt and Road initiative: Motives, scope and challenges, ed. S. Djankov and S. Miner, 6. Peterson Institute for International Economics, Briefing 16–2, March.
Emeh, I.E.K. 2013. Dependency theory and Africa’s underdevelopment: A paradigm shift from pseudo-intellectualism: The Nigerian perspective. International Journal of African and Asian Studies 1: 116–128.
Frank, A.G. 1969. Latin America: Underdevelopment or revolution. New York: Monthly Review Press.
Fukuyama, F. 1983. The end of history. The National Interest 16: 3–18.
———. 1992. The end of history and the last man. New York: Free Press.
———. 1995. Reflections on the end of history, five years later. History and Theory 34 (2): 27–43.
Galtung, J. 1971. A structural theory of imperialism. Journal of Peace Research 2: 81–117.
Glencross, A., 2016. Why the UK Voted for Brexit. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Götz, E., and C.-R. Merlen. 2019. Russia and the question of world order. European Politics and Society 20 (2): 133–153.
Green, R.H. 1965. Four African Development Plans: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. The Journal of Modern African Studies 3 (2): 249–279.
Greene, J. 1989. The external debt problem of sub-Saharan Africa. Staff Papers (International Monetary Fund) 36 (4): 836–874.
Grimm, S. 2014. China–Africa cooperation: Promises, practice and prospects. Journal of Contemporary China 23 (90): 993–1011.
Hanauer, L., and L.J. Morris. 2014. Chinese engagement in Africa: Drivers, reactions, and implications for U.S. policy, 19–20. Washington, DC: Rand Corporation.
Hozić, A.A., and J. True. 2017. Brexit as a scandal: Gender and global trumpism. Review of International Political Economy 24 (2): 270–287.
Ikenberry, G.J. 2008. The rise of China and the future of the west: Can the liberal system survive? Foreign Affairs 87 (1): 23–37.
Institute of Developing Economies. n.d. The role of China’s financial institutions. Manual report. Available from: https://www.ide.go.jp/English/Data/Africa_file/Manualreport/cia_11.html
Jacobs, B. 2011. A dragon and a dove? A comparative overview of Chinese and European trade relations with sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Current Chinese Affairs 40 (4): 17–60.
Jespersen, E. 1992. External shocks, adjustment policies and economic and social performance. In Africa’s recovery in the 1990s: From stagnation and adjustment to human development, ed. Cornia et al., 9–50. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Joseph, R. 1976. The Gaullist legacy: Patterns of French neo-colonialism. Review of African Political Economy 6: 4–13.
Kendall-Taylor, A., and D. Shullman. 2019. A Russian-Chinese partnership is a threat to US interests. Foreign Affairs Magazine Newsletter, May 14. Available from: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/china/2019-05-14/russian-chinese-partnership-threat-us-interests
Kitt, F. 2010. EU aid architecture: Recent trends and policy directions. World Bank Group. Available from: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&ved=2ahUKEwj8hLTJxojkAhXZVRUIHYbuBqMQFjAMegQICBAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsiteresources.worldbank.org%2FCFPEXT%2FResources%2FEU_Aid_Architecture_Recent_Trends_and_Policy_Directions.docx&usg=AOvVaw1jGP9SaYFkNI39LRvk0g2j
Konadu-Agyenang, K. 2000. The best of times and the worst of times: Structural adjustment programmes and the uneven development of Africa – The case of Ghana. The Professional Geographer 52 (3): 469–483.
Lynch, G., and G. Crawford. 2011. Democratization in Africa 1990–2010: An assessment. Democratization 18 (2): 275–310.
Maswana J.C. 2015. Colonial Patterns in the Growing Africa and China Interaction: Dependency and Trade Intensity Perspectives. The Journal of Pan African Studies 8 (7): 95–111.
Matunhu, J. 2011. A critique of modernization and dependency theories in Africa: Critical assessment. Journal of History and Cultures 3 (5): 65–72.
McCauley, J.F. 2013. Economic development strategies and communal violence in Africa: The cases of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Comparative Political Studies 46 (2): 182–211.
McFerson, H. 2010. Developments in African Governance since the Cold War: Beyond Cassandra and Pollyanna. African Studies Review 53 (2): 49–76.
Mckinsey Global Institute. 2010. Lions on the move: The progress and potential of African economies. June, Available from: http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/africa/lions_on_the_move.
Mkwandawire, T. 1998. The road to crisis, adjustment and de-industrialisation: The African case. Africa Development 13 (1): 5–31.
Mohan, G. 2008. China in Africa: A review essay. Review of African Political Economy 35 (1): 155–173.
Munene, G.M., J.D.O. Nyunya, and G.A. Korwa, eds. 1995. The United States and Africa: From independence to the end of the Cold War. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers.
Mwanamanga, R. 2015. Does foreign aid promote growth? Evidence from Malawi. MSc dissertation, Bradford Centre for International Development.
Nkrumah, K. 1975. Redefinition of neocolonialism. In Readings in African political thought, ed. G.-C.M. Mutiso and S.W. Rohio. London: Heinemann.
Nnadozie, O.U. 2010. Why poverty in Africa. Nsukka: Bel’s Book.
Nweke, G.A. 1987. The organization of African unity and intra-African functionalism. In The annals of the American Academy of political and social science, vol. 489, 133–147. Philadelphia: International Affairs in Africa.
Nzau, M. 2010. Africa’s industrialisation debate: A critical analysis. The Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in Africa 2 (1): 146–165.
Obanwe, A.C. 2014. Post-Cold War conflicts in Africa: Case studies of Liberia and Somalia. London: Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd.
Obiorah, N. 2007. Who’s afraid of China in Africa? Towards an African civil society perspective on China-Africa relations. In African perspectives on China in Africa, ed. F. Manji and S. Marks. Cape Town: Fahamu/Pambazuka.
OECD. 2016. Development aid at a glance: Statistics by region, 2 Africa, 2016 ed. OECD. Available from: https://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/documentupload/2%20Africa%20-%20Development%20Aid%20at%20a%20Glance%202016.pdf
Organization of African Unity and Economic Commission for Africa. 1971. Africa’s strategy for development in the 1970s, Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa. Available at: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/831365/files/E_4997Vol-1%26E_CN-14_519Vol-1-EN.pdf
Osabu’Kle, D.T. 2000. The politics on one-sided adjustment in Africa. Journal of Black Studies 30 (4): 515–533.
Owusu, F. 2003. Pragmatism and the gradual shift from dependency to neoliberalism: The World Bank, African leaders and development policy in Africa. World Development 31 (10): 1655–1672.
Oyebade, A., and A. Abiodun, eds. 1998. Africa after the Cold War: The changing perspectives on security. Trenton: Africa World Press.
Payne, R.J., and C.R. Veney. 1998. China’s Post-Cold War African policy. Asian Survey XXXVIII (9): 867–879.
Rasheed, S., and E. Chole. 1994. Human development: An African perspective. Occasional Paper 17. United Nations Development Programme.
Reuters. 2018. How Russia moved into Central Africa, October 17. Available from: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-africa-russia-insight/how-russia-moved-into-central-africa-idUSKCN1MR0KA
Rweyemamu, J.F. 1969. International trade and the developing countries. The Journal of Modern African Studies VII (2): 203–209.
———. 1971. The causes of poverty in the periphery. The Journal of Modern African Studies IX: 443–455.
Schumacher, T., and C. Nitoiu. 2015. Russia’s foreign policy towards North Africa in the wake of the Arab Spring. Mediterranean Politics 20 (1): 97–104.
Shinn, D., and Eisenman. 2008. Responding to China in Africa. Mimeo. Available from: http://196.3.96.161/acisdocs/files/20080527_China-Africa_Key_Findings_Recommendations.pdf.
Sidiropolous, E. 2014. South Africa’s response to the Ukrainian crisis. Policy Brief, June, Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre.
Soko, M., and M. Qobo. 2016. The role of the BRIC in Africa’s development: Drivers and strategies. Journal for Contemporary History 41 (8): 80–102.
Szeftel, M. 2000. Clientelism, corruption & catastrophe. Review of African Political Economy 27 (85): 427–441.
Wangwe, S.M., and H.H. Semboja. 2003. Impact of structural adjustment on industrialization and technology in Africa. In African voices on structural adjustment: A companion to our continent, ed. T. Mkwandawire and C.C. Soludo. Trenton/Asmara: Our Future, Africa World Press.
Were, A. 2018. Debt trap: Chinese loans and Africa’s development options. South African Institute of International Affairs Policy Insights 66, August.
World Bank. 1981. (The Berg report) accelerated development in sub-Saharan Africa: An agenda for action. Washington, DC: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank.
Zeleza, P.T. 2008. Introduction. In The roots of African conflicts, the causes and costs, ed. N. Nhema and P.T. Zeleza. Ohio: Ohio University Press.
Zhao, S. 2014. A neo-colonialist predator or development partner? China’s engagement and rebalance in Africa. Journal of Contemporary China 23 (90): 1033–1052.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Soudien, C., Houston, G. (2021). African Perspectives on Development in the Context of a Changing International System. In: Bourqia, R., Sili, M. (eds) New Paths of Development. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56096-6_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56096-6_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-56095-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-56096-6
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)