The New Scramble for Africa

by Padraig Carmody

Once marginalized in the world economy, the past decade has seen Africa emerge as a major global supplier of crucial raw materials like oil, uranium and coltan. With its share of world trade and investment now rising and the availability of natural resources falling, the continent finds itself at the centre of a battle to gain access to and control of its valuable natural assets. China's role in Africa has loomed particularly large in recent years, but there is now a new scramble taking place involving a wider range of established and emerging economic powers from the EU and US to Japan, Brazil and Russia. This book explores the nature of resource and market competition in Africa and the strategies adopted by the different actors involved - be they world powers or small companies. Focusing on key commodities, the book examines the dynamics of the new scramble and the impact of current investment and competition on people, the environment, and political and economic development on the continent. New theories, particularly the idea of Chinese "flexigemony" are developed to explain how resources and markets are accessed. While resource access is often the primary motive for increased engagement, the continent also offers a growing market for low-priced goods from Asia and Asian-owned companies. Individual chapters explore old and new economic power interests in Africa; oil, minerals, timber, biofuels, food and fisheries; and the nature and impacts of Asian investment in manufacturing and other sectors. The New Scramble for Africa will be essential reading for students of African studies, international relations, and resource politics as well as anyone interested in current affairs.

Genres: Africa, Nonfiction, Politics, Economics, Geography

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2011

Reviews

[Liza Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

An illuminating read about the parallels between the 19th century European scramble for Africa and the current neoliberal frenzy for African natural resources...coincidence I think not. Carmody reveals with expert details and case studies the various motives that drive Western and increasingly Eastern powers to Africa including the recent rush for African oil, biofuels and a slew of other items...consider giving this a read to understand the historical precedents and predicted outcomes for the continued western undermining of the African continent based on a neoliberal, economic liberalization framework

[Chris Buckham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: The New Scramble for Africa
Author: Padraig Carmody
ISBN: 978-0-7456-4785-2
Publisher: Polity Books
Year: 2011
Softcover
Pages: 244
Photographs/maps: 0

Africa is a continent that has almost unlimited potential. Rife with both resource and human capital, it has however been limited in its realization of the potential due to the legacy of colonialism, rampant and systemic corruption within a majority of its governments/institutions and a resulting failure to translate its resource based economy into manufacturing. African leadership and its wealthy elite, looking to draw financial advantage from the potential of their countries, have now embarked upon a comprehensive sacrifice of their nations' birthright through the selling off of their resources to resource hungry second and first world nations. Carmody's book has undertaken a study of the history, causes, effects and potential outcomes of this new pillaging of Africa at the hands of a few for greed and short term gain.

The author commences his review by setting the stage through a analysis of the history of Africa's engagement with the east and west. Following the end of colonialism, the continent was a battle ground of proxy wars between the West and Soviet Bloc. During this time, governments were supported not for their effectiveness but for their willingness to undertake operations for one side or the other. However, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, a gradual change transpired whereby western support and investment for governments became more closely aligned with accountability and transparency. Ironically, it was this insistence upon openness that created the opportunities for a resurgent Russia, emerging China and the EU to create markets for themselves. Unlike a majority of the west, which concurrent to its demands for more accountability suffered a reduction in economic clout, cash rich China et al jumped into the breach with an approach that precluded any demand for change in the corrupt national leaderships. Their realpolitik approach sought advantage wherever it could be found for the betterment of their national goals. Carmody's overview of this is comprehensive and disturbing.

He then goes on to look in greater detail at the kinds of exploitation that are being undertaken with a specific emphasis on the role that China is now playing on the Continent. Attention is paid to the economic interests being sought after with a focus on timber, fishing, uranium, cobalt, food products, fuels and biopiracy. In each case, advantage is being taken over weak central government's and deep corruption in order to feed and furnish domestic demands. Carmody identifies not only the methods undertaken by these foreign powers but also the secondary and tertiary impacts on the African domestic markets and populations of these actions. As an example he discusses the impact of rampant illegal fishing within the EEZ of Somalia. Foreign factory fleets have, as a result of an inability of Somalia to enforce its territorial waters, been able to not only pillage this resource but also to undermine the domestic fishing industry of Somalia. Desperate fishermen have then turned to piracy to try and recoup their losses.

Carmody's book is an extremely disturbing insight into the present day "Scramble for Africa" and its impact upon indigenous populations. Western powers especially are quick to jump on the symptoms of this malaise (such as piracy) but very slow to respond to the underlying causes of these behaviours. Well researched and logically presented, Carmody's book, while five years old, sets a tone that has been followed since then with predictable results. An extensive bibliography and notes section provide ample additional reading options.

www.themilitaryreviewer.blogspot.com

[I Read, Therefore I Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pádraig Carmody is Associate Professor at Trinity College, Dublin and a Visiting Associate Professor at the University Of Johannesburg and in this second edition of his book that’s quite academically written and at times repetitive in its themes but nonetheless interesting and informative, he examines the modern political scramble for Africa’s natural resources, the reasons for Africa’s strategic importance and it means for Africa’s future.

[Jon Norimann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to get an update on developments in Africa. As such the book was a good choice. There isnt much original contents but works as a good summary. Carmody organizes the work on a country basis, both on the african recipient level and among the outsiders. China is central to the book, something it clearly wouldnt have been just 30 years ago. In conclusion this is a good book to read for those wanting an update on the development in Africa up to about 2010.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am so glad people pay taxes to keep up with the high wages required by valuable individuals like Carmody. I mean, look at this guy! Africa was once used by the Europeans for its natural resources. Not any more! Now there is a *new* Scramble for Africa. And this time it is all about natural resources. Well done! Carmody deserves a generous pension from the tax money.

[Eric Bottorff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and helpful in bringing together the extensive literature on this topic, though the writing was sometimes a bit too dry and segmented.

[!Tæmbuŝu]

KOBOBOOKS

[Gys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative in a refreshing manner, albeit a tad sensationalist in its approach. Carmody is a rigorous scholar, however, and his analysis is carefully constructed and well-informed.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting information in here, but dreadful, academic writing.

[Samuel Gombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

African leaders are busy looting the our inheritenance and ruining our future and those of our descendants..the likes of MOBUTU,BONGO are a disgrace to MAMA AFRICA