Africa's Challenge to International Relations Theory

by K. Dunn (Editor), T. Shaw (Editor)

Overview

Africa has been noticeably absent in international relations theory. This new collection of essays by contemporary Africanists convincingly demonstrates the importance of the continent to every theoretical approach in international relations. This book breaks new ground in how we think about both international relations and Africa, re-examining such foundational concepts as sovereignty, the state, and power; critically investigating the salience of realism, neo-liberalism, liberalism in Africa, and providing new thinking about regionalism, security, and identity.

Author Biography: Kevin C. Dunn is a Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science, Boston University. Timothy M. Shaw is Professor of Political Science and International Development Studies, Dalhousie University. International Political Economy

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349423583
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	01/01/2001
Series:	International Political Economy Series
Edition description:	1st ed. 2001
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

JOHN F. CLARK Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Florida International University SIBA N, . GROVOGUI Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, John Hopkins University JAMES JUDE HENTZ Assistant Professor of International Studies, Virginia Military Institute SANDRA J. MACLEAN Assistant Professor of Comparative Politics and Development, Dalhousie University SAKAH MAHMUD Associate Professor of Political Science, Transylvania University, Lexington ASSIS MALAQUAIS Assistant Professor of Government, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY TANDEKA NKIWANE PhD Candidate, John Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies RANDOLPH B. PERSAUD Assistant Professor, American University, Washington, DC LARRY SWATUK Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Botswana JANIS VAN DER WESTHUIZEN Department of Political Science, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Foreword; C.N.Murphy List of Acronyms Notes on the Contributors Introduction: Africa and IR Theory; K.C.Dunn PART I: TROUBLING CONCEPTS Reformulating International Relations Theory: African Insights and Challenges; A.Malquias Sovereignty in Africa: Quasi-Statehood and Other Myths in International Theory; S.N.Grovogui MadLib #32: The ( blank ) African State: Rethinking the Sovereign State in IR Theory; K.C.Dunn Marketing the 'Rainbow Nation': The Power of the South African Music, Film and Sport Industry; J.Westhuizen PART II: THEORETICAL INTERVENTIONS Realism, Neo-Realism and Africa's International Relations in the Post-Cold War Era; J.F.Clark The End of History? African Challenges to Liberalism in International Relations; T.Nkiwane Re-Envisioning Sovereignty: Marcus Garvey and the Making of a Transnational Identity; R.B.Persaud Controlling African States' Behaviour: IR Theory and International Sanctions Against Libya and Nigeria; S.Mahmud Challenging Westphalia: Issues of Sovereignty and Identity in Southern Africa; S.J.MacLean The Brothers Grim: Modernity and 'International' Relations in Southern Africa; L.Swatuk PART III: IMPLICATIONS AND POLICY RAMIFICATIONS Reconceptualizing United States' Foreign Policy: Regionalism, Economic Development and Instability in Southern Africa; J.J.Hentz African Foreign Policy in the New Millennium: From Coming Anarchies to Security Communities? From New Regionalism to New Realism?; T.M.Shaw Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

'...a valuable contribution to current debates on the rapidly changing world order.' - Foreign Affairs

'This books ideal for those seeking an explanation for Africa's unique position in the world, and for IR theorists wishing to find an enlightened reconsideration of the conventions in their field.' - African Studies Quarterly

From the Publisher

Most of the 13 essays were presented at a 1999 international studies conference in Washington, DC. The African and North American scholars disagree strongly with the western assumption<- ->usually but not always implicit<-->that Africa has no meaningful politics, only humanitarian disasters. Among the topics are quasi-statehood and other myths in international theory, Marcus Garvey and the making of a transnational identity, and reconceptualizing US foreign policy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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