Abstract
In this essay, the Africanist critique of mainstream International Relations (IR) theory and the neo-neo synthesis, and in particular the realist tradition, is critically analysed. It is argued that although the Africanist critique does highlight some pertinent issues, it ultimately fails to be convincing due to, firstly, its misunderstanding of the neo-neo synthesis and the realist tradition in particular; secondly, its disregard for human nature; and thirdly, its promotion of a stance that would lead to further marginalization. It is posited that although Africanists perceive globalisation as Westernisation – and Americanisation to be more specific – and interpret the aforementioned as essentially echoing the Foucauldian notion of a power-knowledge nexus, their interpretation does not necessarily undermine the realist tradition, but rather substantiates it. It is concluded that the realist tradition, specifically, has not led to Africa’s marginalization – rather it is something which has been the result of mostly internal dynamics which have created external vulnerabilities.
Highlights
A thesis that has enjoyed growing popularity, and one primarily posited by Africanists, has been that traditional adherence to mainstream international relations (IR) theory – neo-realism, neo-liberalism, both positivist, and, to a lesser extent, Marxism and critical theory, both post-positivist – has led to the marginalization of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in world politics, and the global economy, by being Eurocentric and not considering the unique socio-cultural and socio-economic characteristics of SSA
Africanists have sought an intellectual revolution which might lead to the creation of a truly African theory of IR that would allow for the proper explanation and understanding of key problems and issues central to the international relations and politics of SSA and would perhaps allow for the gradual placement of SSA at the centre of world politics, and perhaps the global economy, by, for instance, adopting the "correct" policies (Dunn, 2000: 89-91)
Africanists, postmodern theorists, and critical theorists, inter alia, may argue that globalization is tied to Westernization and, Americanization, this is precisely the point
Summary
A thesis that has enjoyed growing popularity, and one primarily posited by Africanists, has been that traditional adherence to mainstream international relations (IR) theory – neo-realism, neo-liberalism, both positivist, and, to a lesser extent, Marxism and critical theory, both post-positivist – has led to the marginalization of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in world politics, and the global economy, by being Eurocentric and not considering the unique socio-cultural and socio-economic characteristics of SSA This argument is based on either, depending on who is asked, the Coxian and Carrian assumption (Acharya & Buzan, 2007: 300; Hobson, 2007: 92), as well as the ancient Greek concept of Phronesis, that social theory is always generated and employed for the benefit ofsomeone or some group, the spread of certain values, or for the achievement of some goal, such as von Bismarck’s neo-mercantilism and the British Empire’s use ofliberalism, making it an inherently political activity, or the arguments of post-modernists who argue that theory is inadvertently created based on a certain Weltanschauung, so as to benefit someone, spread certain values, or to achieve some goal; to elaborate on the latter contention, it is argued that approaches to IR such as realism, liberalism, Marxism, the English School , constructivism, and postmodernism, et cetera all originated in the West, and are unavoidably Eurocentric (Acharya & Buzan, 2007: 299-300; Hobson, 2007: 93). The purpose of this assignment will be to evaluate the Africanist critique of mainstream IR theory and the Africanist dream of a truly African IR theory, and if any credibility is found, a solution will be sought
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