African engagements: on whose terms? Africa negotiating an emerging multipolar world

This collective volume explores the ways in which Africa's engagements with an increasingly multipolar world are being reshaped, and, on whose terms. Ch. 2-7 examine new trends in Africa. Ch. 8-13 address the forces, in particular interventions by China, India and the US, that are framing the new global multipolarity and the way multipolarity is being played out. Ch. 14-16 focus on the potential for Africa and Africans to fill the political and economic space that is emerging. Contributions by Ton Dietz, Kjell Havnevik, Mayke Kaag & Terje Oestigaard; Samuel Teshale Derbe;Peer Schouten; Bram Büscher; Sandra Evers, Perrine Burnod, Andrianirina Ratsialonana Rivo & Andre' Teyssier; Wiebe Nauta; Mohamed Salih; Sanne van der Lugt; Gorm Rye Olsen; Liu Haifang & Jamie Monson; Antony Otieno Ong'ayo; Simona Vittorini & David Harris; Peter J. Schraeder; Lloyd G.A. Amoah; Lawrence Ogbo Ugwuanyi; Stephen Ellis. [ASC Leiden abstract] ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

African Engagements: on whose terms? Africa negotiating and emerging multi-polar world

During the recent World EXPO in Shanghai, most African countries were housed under one roof, a huge building bustling with activity. The African dances and the loud drumming attracted many Chinese visitors, who were amazed, thrilled and shocked at the same time. The African market stalls (see book cover) were also popular. EXPO’s title was ‘Better City, Better Life’, and the organisers had tried to convince the African contributors that it would be nice to stick to that general theme. Few did, even after accepting generous Chinese support. Many of the African pavilions showed rural Africa as a paradise for investors and tourists, with scenes of Africa’s exotic nature and people and with a general message that Africa is a continent full of resources to exploit (cf. Dietz 2011: 5). But on whose terms? EXPO’s experience may be seen as symbolic of Africa being quite capable of carving out its own negotiation space. The world’s emerging multipolarity creates obvious tensions but also opportunities for the many different African players on the world’s geopolitical chessboard