Globalization is a process of global economic, cultural, and political integration. It is playing an important role and has brought new opportunities for African countries such as growth and improved productivity and living standards, technological transfer, conflict resolution etc. Globalization is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon of contemporary society.
Therefore, the areas of conflict and conflict resolution are also affected by this phenomenon. Conflicts are part of man’s existence; this is because disagreements among peoples are natural. The disagreement occurs in forms of revolution or war. The continent of Africa has been highly susceptible to intra and inter-state wars and conflicts. Africa’s track record of civil war, conflict and political instability has with a big measure of justification earned it the idea of a continent at war against itself.
Thousands of Africans have been killed in civil wars, con-flicts and uprisings in the course of the past decade. Meanwhile, Africa to date has remained a victim of all economic and political reform agenda of the European dominated world, but now consumed in what has come to be termed as globalization.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Conceptual Clarification
3. Theoretical framework
3.1 Liberalism
3.2 Functionalism
4. The Role of Globalization in Conflict Resolution in Africa since 20th century
5. Conclusion
Objectives & Themes
This work evaluates the complex, multidimensional influence of globalization on conflict dynamics and peacebuilding efforts within the African continent since the 20th century, exploring both the destabilizing effects of economic integration and the potential for globalization to catalyze dialogue and conflict resolution.
- Interaction between global economic, political, and cultural integration and African conflict scenarios.
- Theoretical foundations of conflict resolution, specifically focusing on Liberalism and Functionalism.
- The historical and ongoing role of external actors, including international organizations and multinational corporations, in African conflict management.
- The evolution of regional security mechanisms from the OAU to the African Union (AU).
- The shift toward African-led self-reliance in addressing continental security challenges.
Excerpt from the Book
The Role of Globalization in Conflict Resolution in Africa since 20th century
The contemporary world has been changing. The ease to interact, the rapid transfer of high technology and the internet are agents that brought people closer than it has ever been since time immemorial. With closer economic integration, each country has an aim in making sure that appropriate policies and decisions are followed in its neighboring and partner countries. This could be gained by coordinating the appropriate national policies within a regional structure. Throughout the continent, African countries are coming together to coordinate components of their relatively small size and opening access to larger markets in order to realize economies of scale. Globalization, meanwhile, has grown beyond economics to become a social, cultural, political and legal concept. In social terms, globalization explains an increased level of relationship among the people of the world and their lives. Political globalization refers to the shift of political activities from a national level to a global level through international organizations such as United Nations. And thus may ultimately reduce the importance of nation states. International institutions such as European Union extend or replace national functions to facilitate international agreement. The globalized world today has created change in world politics where peace and security has become a collective issue not only to countries but corporations and organizations. As a legal phenomenon, globalization is a shift in the ways the international law is created and carried out. While Economic globalization show the increasing economic interdependence of states across the world through a high increase in cross-border movement of goods, capital, technology, and services.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces globalization as a complex process of integration and examines its dual role in both inducing conflict and fostering peacebuilding within the African context.
2. Conceptual Clarification: This section defines the foundational terms of the study, specifically examining different academic interpretations of "Conflict," "Conflict Resolution," and "Globalization."
3. Theoretical framework: This chapter analyzes how Liberalism and Functionalism attempt to explain the relationship between global interdependence, international organizations, and the prospects for world peace.
4. The Role of Globalization in Conflict Resolution in Africa since 20th century: This chapter explores the practical impacts of global integration, the involvement of international and regional actors (such as the UN, OAU, and AU), and the evolving role of multinational corporations in African conflict management.
5. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the arguments by highlighting the need for African self-reliance and regional cooperation to address security challenges while navigating the complex realities of the globalized world.
Keywords
Globalization, Conflict Resolution, Africa, Peacebuilding, Liberalism, Functionalism, International Organizations, African Union, Regional Security, Economic Integration, Multinational Corporations, Political Stability, Sovereignty, Humanitarian Intervention, Conflict Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The study examines how globalization influences conflict dynamics and the effectiveness of various conflict resolution mechanisms within Africa since the 20th century.
What are the central themes of this research?
The core themes include the impact of economic integration on political stability, the role of international and regional institutions, the transition from OAU to AU security policies, and the involvement of non-state actors in peacebuilding.
What is the fundamental research question?
The work seeks to evaluate the roles and effects of globalization in shaping conflict situations and facilitating resolution strategies on the African continent.
Which theoretical approaches are utilized to analyze the problem?
The author applies Liberalism and Functionalism to understand how international cooperation and global institutions interact with sovereign states to mitigate conflict.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main sections cover definitions of key terms, theoretical frameworks, a detailed analysis of globalization's role in African politics, and an evaluation of specific intervention efforts by international entities.
What are the defining keywords for this study?
The study is characterized by terms such as globalization, conflict resolution, African security, regional integration, and international intervention.
How has the OAU’s role in conflict resolution evolved into the African Union?
The OAU, limited by its doctrine of non-interference, was eventually replaced by the African Union, which established more comprehensive security mechanisms, such as the Peace and Security Council, to manage continental conflicts.
What role do multinational corporations play in African conflict resolution?
Beyond economic activities, multinational corporations can act as "business diplomats" by providing resources, logistical support, and neutral ground for dialogue between conflicting parties, as evidenced in the Burundi crisis.
Why does the author argue that Africa must rely less on Western intervention?
The author notes that Western interest in resolving African conflicts has become less consistent, particularly since the 1990s, necessitating a shift toward regional self-reliance and solidarity.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Chigozie Paul Nnuriam (Autor:in), 2018, Globalization and Conflict Resolution in Africa since the 20th Century, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/448291
