Africa and International Relations in the 21st Century

Abstract

01 02 At the start of the second decade of the 21st Century, Africa is viewed in a much more positive light by analysts, investors, observers and policymakers. China's recent closer involvement with the continent has set the tone for new forms of engagement between Africa and the rest of the world. The authors discuss the implications for Africa's future trajectories and how to understand the continent's position in the international system. Furthermore, they demonstrate how the study of shifts in Africa's international relations can help explain broader dynamics and the changing foundations of world order. 02 02 By exploring the many unchartered dimensions of Africa's international relations, the authors present fresh insights on aspects such as power, identity, statehood and sovereignty in the world system. 31 02 This volume responds to the general under-representation of African processes and issues in international relations theory through innovative assessments of Africa's place in the international arena 04 02 Introduction: Africa and International Relations in the 21st Century: Still Challenging Theory?; S.Cornelissen, F.Cheru & T.M.Shaw PART I: RECONCEPTUALIZING AUTHORITY AND SOVEREIGNTY Africa as an Agent of International Relations Knowledge; K.Smith Collectivist Worldview: Its Challenge to International Relations; T.K.Tieku Authority, Sovereignty and Africa's Changing Regimes of Territorialization; U.Engel & G.R.Olson PART II: INNOVATIONS FROM BELOW: TERRITORY AND IDENTITY Bringing Identity into International Relations: Reflections on Nationalism, Nativism and Xenophobia in Africa; S.J.Ndlovu-Gatsheni Towards New Approaches to Statehood and Governance-Building in Africa: The Somali Crisis Reconsidered; L.W.Moe Diasporas and African Development: The Struggle for Sustainable Peace and Development in Sierra Leone; A.Zack-Williams The Transformation of Sovereign Territoriality: A Case Study of South African Immigration Control; D.Vigneswaran & L.B.Landau PART III: INSECURITIES Transnationalism, Africa's 'Resource Curse' and Contested Sovereignties: The Struggle for Nigeria's Niger Delta; C.I.Obi Security Privatization and the New Contours of Africa's Security Governance; R.Abrahamsen Engendering (In)Security and Conflict in African International Relations; J.L.Parpart & L.Thompson Conclusion: What Futures for African International Relations?; T.M.Shaw, F.Cheru & S.Cornelissen 13 02 SCARLETT CORNELISSEN Professor in the Department of Political Science at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. FANTU CHERU Emeritus Professor of African and Development Studies at American University in Washington, DC, USA, and Research Director at the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala, Sweden. TIMOTHY M. SHAW Director of and Professor at the Institute of International Relations at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. 19 02 Includes theoretically informed overviews and interpretation of current African international affairs Analyses of major emergent aspects in Africa's international politics, such as migration; reterritorialisation; sub-national identity; diaspora politics; private security spaces; and new South-South multilateralisms Draws insights from a range of fields (International Relations, Political Anthropology, Political Psychology, Gender and Security Studies);By exploring the many unchartered dimensions of Africa's international relations, the authors present fresh insights on aspects such as power, identity, statehood and sovereignty in the world system.;At the start of the second decade of the 21st Century, Africa is viewed in a much more positive light by analysts, investors, observers and policymakers. China’s recent closer involvement with the continent has set the tone for new forms of engagement between Africa and the rest of the world. The authors discuss the implications for Africa’s future trajectories and how to understand the continent’s position in the international system. Furthermore, they demonstrate how the study of shifts in Africa’s international relations can help explain broader dynamics and the changing foundations of world order.;