China in Africa: Economic Relations and the quest for Good Governance and Human Rights in Africa.
Translated title
China in Africa: Economic Relations and the quest for Good Governance and Human Rights in Africa
Author
Andersen, Signe
Term
4. term
Publication year
2008
Pages
126
Abstract
This thesis examines China-Africa relations with a focus on China’s major economic involvement in African energy and natural resource sectors - oil, minerals and other resources - and on China’s policy of non-interference in other states’ domestic affairs. It uses four case studies - Angola, Nigeria, Sudan and Zimbabwe - while also considering Africa as a whole. The thesis explores how this mix of economic and political engagement affects good governance (transparent, accountable institutions) and human rights in Africa. To understand China’s view and prioritization of rights, it applies the concept of cultural relativism, including the idea of Asian values. China emphasizes economic rights and argues that development can occur without full adherence to all human rights, pointing to its own modernization and growth as evidence. The aim is to map China’s economic and political engagement in Africa and assess its implications for good governance and human rights. The central question is: How, and to what extent, can the principle of non-interference in China’s Africa policy be reconciled with the demands of good governance and respect for human rights?
Specialet undersøger forholdet mellem Kina og Afrika med fokus på Kinas store økonomiske engagement i Afrikas energisektorer - olie, mineraler og andre naturressourcer - samt Kinas princip om ikke-indblanding i andre staters indre anliggender. Det analyseres gennem fire cases: Angola, Nigeria, Sudan og Zimbabwe, og med blik for Afrika som helhed. Specialet ser på, hvordan denne kombination af økonomi og politik påvirker god regeringsførelse (gennemsigtige og ansvarlige institutioner) og menneskerettigheder i Afrika. For at forstå den kinesiske prioritering af rettigheder bruges begrebet kulturel relativisme, herunder de såkaldte asiatiske værdier. Kina fremhæver økonomiske rettigheder og argumenterer for, at udvikling kan ske uden fuld efterlevelse af alle menneskerettigheder, med henvisning til landets egen modernisering og vækst. Målet er at afdække Kinas økonomiske og politiske engagement i Afrika og dets betydning for god regeringsførelse og menneskerettigheder. Hovedspørgsmålet er: Hvordan, og i hvilket omfang, kan princippet om ikke-indblanding i Kinas Afrikapolitik forenes med kravene om god regeringsførelse og respekt for menneskerettigheder?
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]