Introduction
One of the many byproducts of globalization has been the surge of free trade agreements, bilateral trade agreements, and regional trade agreements signed internationally as markets respond to increased global demand. Despite China and Nigeria signing bilateral trade agreements, it is clear that China has benefitted more from this relationship than has Nigeria, at least in the short-run. If Nigeria is to increase its economic development and decrease corruption amongst the political elite, promote good governance and effective monetary policies, it would be able to use the current influx of Chinese money from oil revenue to develop into a hub for numerous foreign investors venturing into the African market. In this paper we examine whether the association between these two countries should be considered neo-colonial exploitation by a global super power or a mutually beneficial relationship for emerging economies based on vital commodities such as crude oil.
History of the Chinese-Nigerian Relationship
Beginning in the early 1950s and extending into the 1970s, China ventured into the African continent primarily as a promoter of Maoist-Socialist teachings and command economics towards nascent governments. In 1971, China and Nigeria forged diplomatic relations that eventually culminated into permanent bilateral trade agreements and investments. However, it was not until the 1990s that China returned--as a foreign direct investor--intent on investing in projects that would exploit the continent’s wealth of natural resources for exports, its abundant natural resource reserves, and the diplomatic leverage it would gain from forging strategic partnerships. Beginning in the late 1960s and continuing until the late 1990s...
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During the late 1950?s and early 1960?s, many African nations were struggling for their independence from Europe. In ?Down at the Cross,? James Baldwin relates this struggle to that of blacks in the United States during the same time period, and there are far more similarities than Baldwin mentions. Although this comparison offers hope, demonstrating the power of blacks over white oppressors, the ongoing European presence in Africa is a painful reminder that independence and freedom are not complete.
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One of Kingsolver’s plot ideas was American Missionaries of the 1960’s, which occupied African soil in order to aid African nations from rival countries, poor economical development and paganism. Relations between African leaders and the President of t...
With Europe in control, “the policies of the governing powers redirected all African trade to the international export market. Thus today, there is little in the way of inter-African trade, and the pattern of economic dependence continues.” Europeans exported most of the resources in Africa cheaply and sold them costly, which benefited them, but many Africans worked overtime and were not treated with care.
It is thought-provoking, in the sense that Africa’s need for foreign created a race to the bottom, much like what Pietra Rivoli described in The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy. Due to some African states’ reliance on foreign aid in order to mine and profit on their resources, they allow business standards to be lowered and for Chinese firms to tip the contracts moresoever in the favor of Chinese firms. This lowers the potential earnings of African states by lowering royalty rates, for example. Additionally, Burgis’ research was thorough and transparent. When he did not receive a response or if his questions were dodged, he made it obvious to the readers. Sure, some could view this book as too anecdotal to be used as a credible source of Africa’s situation. However, this is due to the nature of the system Burgis is writing about; after all, they are shadow states for a reason. Some readers will be saddened by this text, others angry, most curious to learn more, but above all, everyone will be intellectually stimulated and
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In this section, I will provide a brief history of U.S. military involvement on the African continent, starting with the Barbary Wars and working up through the current date. This historical documentation will highlight the change in the role the United States has played in Africa [post 9-11???]. Prior to 9-11, the United States’ interactions were mainly [capture summary here]. Since [?], however, the continent has faced a marked increase in violent extremism and terrorism leading the United States to partner with many African nations in counterterrorism initiatives. These, and other initiatives, mean an increasing number U.S. service members are deploying to Africa to take part in training, humanitarian issues and military operations. These military activities are run by United States African Command, a recently created combatant command.
A. Adu Boahen's African Perspectives on Colonialism neatly classifies African responses to European colonialism during both phases of invasion and occupation during the 19th century with precise labels according to their nature or time period. However, the reactions can also be loosely grouped into two diametric characterizations: peaceful and violent. Although creating this dichotomy seems a gross generalization and oversimplification of the colonial African experience, it more importantly allows for a different perspective- one that exposes the overwhelming success of the typically peaceful or pacifist reaction in contrast to the little gain and large losses of the violent response.
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Africa’s struggle to maintain their sovereignty amidst the encroaching Europeans is as much a psychological battle as it is an economic and political one. The spillover effects the system of racial superiority had on the African continent fractured ...
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China has also expanded their trading industries with countries such as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, ASEAN, India, Russia and Hong Kong. This has not satisfied the Chinese greed for income as they also export and import goods to American countries, name...
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