Masaryk university faculty of social studies
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AbstractThe aim of the thesis is to apply the theory of neo-colonialism on the involvement of China in Ghana since 2000. The thesis is divided into three sections. The first section describes the theory of neo-colonialism and the mechanisms of economic, political, military and cultural control. Subsequently, the Chinese engagement in Africa is analysed from historical and contemporary perspectives. The aim of this thesis is to find out whether China acts as a neo-colonial power in Ghana. A thorough analysis is conducted in the third section, which is devoted to China-Ghana relations and various neo-colonial mechanisms. Key WordsNeo-colonialism, China, Africa, Ghana, FOCAC, trade, development, FDI, ODA, mechanism, cooperation, agreement, China Exim Bank, CDB, UN AbstraktCílem této bakalářské práce je aplikovat teorii neokolonialismu na angažovanost Číny v Ghaně od roku 2000. Práce je rozdělená do tří částí. První část se zabývá teorií neokolonialismu a ekonomickými, politickými, vojenskými a kulturními kontrolními mechanismy. Následně je analyzována angažovanost Číny v Africe z historické i současné perspektivy. Tato práce si klade za cíl především zjistit, zdali se Čína chová jako nekoloniální mocnost v Ghaně. Třetí část se podrobně zabývá analýzou čínsko-ghanských vztahů a různými nekoloniálními mechanismy. Klíčová slovaNeokolonialismus, Čína, Afrika, Ghana, FOCAC, obchod, rozvoj, FDI, ODA, mechanismus, spolupráce, smlouva, China Exim Bank, CDB, UN 1 IntroductionAs of 2012, China was the largest exporter and manufacturer and second largest economy in the world (WB 2012, XXI). Since 2009, China has been Africa’s largest trading partner (OECD 2011, Smith 2012). From 2000 to 2011, the trade increased sixteen times. Chinese foreign direct investment increased from $100 million in 2003 to $12 billion in 2011 (Moyo 2012). Since 2008, China has been contributing the largest amount of official development assistance to African infrastructure projects (Hensengerth and Scheumann 2011, 4). The official development assistance is effectuated through the construction of turnkey projects, provision of goods and materials, technical cooperation and expertise, health assistance, debt relief and participation in volunteer programs (Cheng et al. 2012, 13). Lumumba Kasongo (2011, 243) deems that China provides Africa with a ‘complete package’ which consists of abundance of workforce, plentitude of financial reserves and technical expertise. China with its permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council and power of veto has the potential to represent Africa in international forums. Ghana was the first Sub-Saharan country to become independent of the colonial rule in 1957 and is an icon of stable democracy, good governance and respect for human rights. Since its democratic transformation in 1992, the country has started a period of stable growth and development. The United Nations and the International Institute for Justice and Development commended Ghana for its democratic achievements (Sithole 2012, 1-4). International Monetary Fund and World Bank designated Ghana as one of the most successful economies in the world (ARB 2012, 19521). The Ghanaian economic growth in 2011 constituted record-breaking 14.4%. Although the growth in 2012 decreased to 7.1%, Ghana was the fourth best economy in Africa in 2012 (Government of Ghana 2013, Quandzie 2013a, Quandzie 2012). Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1960 and were characterized by regular visits, exchanges, economic cooperation and provision of development aid (MFA 2011). After the Ghanaian political coup in 1966, the relations were suspended until 1972. Since then, China and Ghana have enjoyed stable and friendly relations. The cooperation in the 20th century was insignificant and the relations gained in power only at the turn of the new millennium (Mohan 2010, 3). The establishment of Forum on China and Africa Cooperation in 2000 resulted in a stronger engagement of China in Ghana and intensification of their relationship. The countries cooperate in economic, political, military and cultural spheres. Chinese exports to Ghana increased from $219 million in 2000 to $2.06 billion in 2011 and Ghanaian exports to China increased from $28 million in 2000 to $258 million in 2011 (ITC 2013). Chinese foreign direct investment elevated from $132 million in 2000 to $6.82 billion in 2011 (ACET 2009, 11; GIPC 2013). Chinese official development assistance focuses on energy, communications, construction and infrastructure sectors (ACET 2009, 18). The political and diplomatic relations are characterised by frequent visits of high-level officials, cooperation and mutual support in international organisations. China and Ghana trade arms and military equipment. In the field of culture, China provides numerous scholarships, establishes new institutes and promotes Chinese language (Jianzhong 2012, Jintao 2012). Recent Chinese involvement in Africa calls for a greater scrutiny due to the level of intensity and volume in the economic, diplomatic and cultural spheres. As a result of its increasing influence in Africa, China has been accused of neo-colonialism (Naidu 2007, 284; Lumumba Kasongo 2011, 239; Campbell 2007, 133; Chan-Fishel 2007, 140). The criticism is not limited to the Western countries, but African scholars also express concern about the Chinese engagement. Although China argues that the relations are based on friendship and economic win-win situation, there are presumptions that Chinese growing need of raw materials and oil motivate China to enter Africa. China is reprehended for its own profit motives, but lack of genuine interest in Africa’s development (Zheng 2010, 271; Caniglia 2011, 169). 2 MethodologyThis study attempts to address the matter of neo-colonialism in relation to the recent Chinese engagement in Africa, specifically in Ghana. The objective is to determine whether China acts like a neo-colonial power. Chinese involvement is analysed from four perspectives – economic, political, military and cultural. Based on the texts on neo-colonialism, the economic domination is considered as the most significant characteristic of neo-colonialism and therefore a greater emphasis lies on China-Ghana economic relations. The thesis is based on the following hypothesis: The recent Chinese involvement in Ghana can be considered neo-colonial. The thesis consists of three parts. The first part describes the concept of neo-colonialism, the second part sheds light on the history, recent development and motivation of the Chinese presence in Africa and finally in the third part an analysis of the Chinese involvement in Ghana is conducted. The goal is to answer the three research questions:
This thesis is based on the case-study methodology and intensively examines the China-Ghana relation. In order to comprehend this complex relation, the study combines both descriptive and analytical principles. It must be pointed out that the study investigates the phenomenon of the Chinese neo-colonialism only in Ghana and does not intend to generalise Chinese involvement in all of Africa. The study has been undertaken due to several reasons. Ghana represents one of the most stable African democracies, its economy is strong and the mutual cooperation in the economic, political and cultural spheres has greatly increased since the establishment of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2000. The theory of neo-colonialism was mainly examined in the 1960s. The most relevant author for this thesis is Kwame Nkrumah who published the book Neo-colonialism, The Last stage of Imperialism in 1965. Other relevant authors include Samir Amin, Philippe Ardant, Thomas Molnar, Brian Crozier and Vasili Vajrushev. Regrettably, their original works were often not accessible in the consulted databases and libraries. Authors who have published papers about neo-colonialism recently include Guy Martin, Mbuyi Kabunda Badi, Joseph Lutta, Diana Haag, Fischer, Yao Godsway Sappor and Harold Nyikal. An innumerable amount of research studies has been conducted on Chinese engagement in Africa. In his book China in Africa Chris Alden examines the history, recent involvement, motivations and commitments of China in Africa. Harry Broadman conducts a profound study of Chinese economic engagement in Africa in his book Africa’s Silk Road, China and India’s New Economic Frontier. Deborah Brautigam has published studies and research papers on Chinese development assistance. The Center for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University and the South African Institute of International Affairs have been publishing monthly reports focused on Chinese involvement in Africa. A few scholars focus solely on the Chinese neo-colonialism in Africa – Tukumbi Lumumba Kasongo and Isaac Idun-Arkhurst. A small number of studies have been made on the Chinese involvement in Ghana. African Center for Economic Transformation published a Ghana case study in 2009. In 2012, Heidi Glaesel Frontani and Anna McCracken released a study on the Chinese development initiatives in Ghana. Laurence Marfaing and Alena Thiel published a thorough study on Chinese commodity exports to Ghana in 2011. Dela Tsikata et al. conducted two researches on Chinese economic and political engagement in Ghana in 2008 and 2010. The thesis mainly uses secondary data collected from relevant African institutions, articles retrieved from online databases, Chinese and Ghanaian state-owned newspapers and independent journals. The primary sources include press releases, speeches and articles from the governmental bodies and international organisations. The thesis also suffers from some limitations. While the economic control can be assessed relatively well, it is impossible to assess the political, military and cultural control, as there are no appropriate scales. Also, the inaccessibility of important trade agreements limits the depth of the analysis. Download 289.25 Kb. Share with your friends:
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