Publication Date
2023
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Kuehl, Colin
Second Advisor
Thurber, Ches
Degree Name
M.A. (Master of Arts)
Legacy Department
Department of Political Science
Abstract
Two differing perceptions have dominated explanations of the relationship between China and Africa. The first is often held in the West and sees China as an exploitative force that has latched onto Africa's quest for development partnerships to exploit the continent economically. The second considers the China-Africa partnership more positively and views China as a trustworthy ally. Advocates argue that China has no history of colonial ambitions in Africa. Instead, China intervened in Africa to fill the financing gap and tackle the development challenges in Africa with no political strings attached. Perception of which view is mainly correct depends on which side of the divide an observer is aligned, i.e., pro-Western or pro-Chinese.This study analyzes the factors that account for the variation in Chinese aid across Africa between 2006-2018. The findings demonstrate that the size of a country’s GDP remains a common predictor of aid to African countries. Chinese assistance is mainly consistent with expectations of financial need and economic development rather than political exploitation. In addition, factors that predict aid to Africa are the same across Chinese and Western sources. However, while democratic governance is considered an essential determinant of Western aid, Chinese aid is not influenced by democratic rule. This is attributed to the enduring Chinese policy of "non-interference" in the internal political affairs of African countries. Countries would therefore be willing to engage more with China given that the perceived non-interference, makes conditionality for aid less stringent compared to the Western aid alternative.
Recommended Citation
Obasi, Chibuzo Uchechukwu Victor, "China’s "greek Gift" To africa: a Myth Or Reality" (2023). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 7340.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/7340
Extent
44 pages
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
