Eurafrica: The Untold History of European Integration and Colonialism

by Peo Hansen, Stefan Jonsson

In order to think theoretically about our global age it is important to understand how the global has been conceived historically. 'Eurafrica' was an intellectual endeavor and political project that from the 1920s saw Europe's future survival - its continued role in history - as completely bound up with Europe's successful merger with Africa. In its time the concept of Eurafrica was tremendously influential in the process of European integration.

Today the project is largely forgotten, yet the idea continues to influence EU policy towards its African 'partner'. The book will recover a critical conception of the nexus between Europe and Africa - a relationship of significance across the humanities and social sciences. In assessing this historical concept the authors shed light on the process of European integration, African decolonization and the current conflictual relationship between Europe and Africa.

Genres: History, Africa, Academic, Nonfiction

344 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Lenny Münch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sehr eindrucksvolle Erklärung wie die Anfänge der europäischen Integration immer die Unterdrückung Afrikas beinhalteten. Das Model Eurafrika kennt heute niemand mehr aber es hat die kapitalistische und politische Weltordnung von heute maßgeblich geprägt. Das Buch widerlegt den EU-Gründungsmythos eines von Friedenswünschen und gemeinsamen Werten geleiteten Prozesses. Es zeigt stattdessen die Wahrheit: Europa schloss sich zusammen um effektiver Afrika auszubeuten.

[Mirau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really an enlightening reading about how European geopolitical considerations shaped moves to integrate French, Belgian and Dutch colonies into the European Community. It is one of the most important books on European integration, as it challenges the narrative of European integration after WW2 as starting with a blank slate. The colonial continuities are well outlined in this book, and I learned a lot about French and German relations in the 1950's. Also, I didn't know that Adenauer was such a big fan of colonies.

[Robert Preusse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Läste i jobbet. Intressant take på EUs koloniala grund

[Kåre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Det vigtige i bogen er, at den viser, at kolonialismen fortsatte med EU, og at EU i høj grad var en fortsættelse af kolonialismen. EU havde således frem til 1956, hvor Romtraktaten blev udfærdiget, en afrikapolitik. Tyskland kunne ikke selv have kolonier pga krigens resultat, men alle i Europa kunne støtte og få andel i de koloniale besidelser, som Frankrig og England havde.
For mig bliver det imidlertid ikke helt klart, hvori dette bestod. Oplagt at der er politik i enten at være selvbestemmende eller bestemt over for kolonierne. Var det profitgivende for kolonialisterne? Tabte de afrikanske mennesker på det, og hvad tabte de?

[Tim Horvat · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/5
Briljantno zgodovinsko delo, ki poveže kolonializem in evropsko integracijo.

Skupno izkoriščanje afriških kolonij je bilo osrednje vprašanje pogajanj o Rimski pogodbi 1957. Osamosvajanje afriških držav le nekaj let kasneje in njihova vključitev v skupni trg pa je zagotovila nadaljevanje kolonializma v novi preobleki. Ideja evrafrike ima dialektičen značaj: EU ni konec kolonializma, temveč njegovo nadaljevanje. Spremenili so se pojmi, ideologije, mednarodni odnosi, medtem ko so ekonomski odnosi ostali enaki.

[walk obscure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historiography challenging dominate perception of the relation between EU and Africa in light of what we call “NeoColonial” practices. This book establishes its material basis and ideology. Only qualm is the prefaces self satisfying insert into methodology which is really not even a kind of historicism since this book is pretty much straightforward history.

[Aina Hard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bra och informativ, något som EU vill släta över, lite tråkig

[Heba · Rating 3 out of 5]

الكتاب مفيد في توضيح الأسس التاريخية التي قام عليها الاتحاد الاوروبي، وطبيعة علاقة دول اوروبا بقارة افريقيا قديما وحديثا، ثم يوضح بعد ذلك كيف جرى طمس هذا التاريخ باكمله والزعم بانه كانت هناك بداية جديدة منقطعة الصِّلة بالماضي.