Font Size: a A A

The Evolvement And Influence Of U.S.A Foreign Policy Toward Africa In The Post-Cold War Era

Posted on:2006-01-29Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:D F LiFull Text:PDF
GTID:2166360155959733Subject:International relations
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
With the great change of international environment in the post-Cold War era,national interests of U.S.A. in Africa changed accordingly. Based on national interestsof U.S., U.S. foreign policy toward Africa has adjusted three times. These adjustmentsbrought large influence to the relation between U.S. and Africa. So this article madesome exploration and analyses on it from this angle. Starting with the introduction ofU.S. national interests in Africa during the Cold War period and in the post-Cold Warera, this article reviewed the U.S. foreign policy toward Africa in the post-Cold Warera, and analyzed the reasons and influences of the three adjustments. In the base ofthe review and analysis, we can make a conclusion that national interest is thespringboard of U.S. foreign policy toward Africa. The related methodology includescase studies, comparative analysis, sample illustration and historical analysis.ⅠNational interest is an eternal topic in the field of international relations. And it isnot only the basic factor in driving the development of national foreign relations butalso the ultimate target in establishing the national stratagem. At any time theestablishment of U.S. foreign policy is based on its Big Stratagem supporting U.S.world leadership position. It also sticks up for U.S. national interest with its particularsafe benefits, economic benefits and worthy benefits. So is its foreign policy towardAfrica. Africa took an important role in antagonizing Soviet Russia and supportingU.S. national interest in Cold War because Africa was the second continent with 53countries and it had an important geological position and abundant resources. In aword, U.S. had important political benefits and economic benefits in Africa in ColdWar period. In order to support its unique superpower position, the United Statesadjusted its world strategy afresh after Cold War. As for the United States, any"strategy meaning"area is essential to its Big Stratagem. So it adjusted its foreignpolicy according to its national interest in the post-Cold War era. And Africa is animportant part in U.S. Big Stratagem. Ⅱ Since the Soviet threat to U.S. almost disappeared, the attention of U.S. turned toMiddle East and Europe regions after Cold War and Africa strategy value in U.S.descended, U.S. gradually neglected Africa accordingly. U.S. adjusted its policy toAfrica. In short, U.S. policy to Africa was basically a kind of "marginalized policy"inthe early post-Cold War era. U.S. not only reduced the political support and economicaid to Africa, but also pushed western "political democratization"and "economicliberalization"to Africa positively in order to turn Africa into its "idealism"provingground. But since the midst of 1990s, along with globalization going deep into andeconomy competition pricking up, economy plays an increasingly important role inthe national strategy. The "economy safety"was promoted in the Big Strategy ofUnited States further. U.S. was attracted deeply by Africa's enormous market andabundant resources, in addition to the political and economic situation in Africaturning better, so "economic creed"became the principal axis of U.S. policy to Africain Clinton's second tenure. "Economy is first"and "business diplomacy"wereemphases of policy toward Africa in Clinton's second tenure in order to establish"new colleague relationship"with the nations of Africa. In 2001, George W. Bush assumed the reins of government. He changedClinton's "excessive concern"into new low regard with pragmatistic attitude towardAfrica. However, the "9·11 terrorism"altered Bush's policy toward Africa.Anti-terrorism and the petroleum safety became the primary goals of U.S. foreignpolicy toward Africa after the "9·11 terrorism". Furthermore, the tradition of grand oldparty added some pragmatism color to Bush administration and reduced someidealism color. In a word, Bush administration took "all-round use"policy towardAfrica. Ⅲ The establishment of the U.S. foreign policy toward Africa is based on a series of...
Keywords/Search Tags:U.S.A., Africa, National Interests, Foreign Policy toward Africa
PDF Full Text Request
Related items