Key Concepts
This term describes the ability of African actors to shape outcomes, not just be passive.
What is agency?
Most studies wrongly portray Africa as this in China–Africa relations.
What is passive?
The BRI stands for this major Chinese global initiative.
What is the Belt and Road Initiative?
This article argues African actors can influence outcomes.
What is Mohan & Lampert?
Is Africa passive or active in China–Africa relations?
What is active (but unevenly)?
This concept explains how China adapts its strategy depending on different African countries.
What is flexigemony?
This country is used as a key example of African state agency shaping Chinese investment.
What is Angola?
The BRI primarily focuses on building this in Africa.
What is infrastructure?
This article argues China may dominate and reproduce inequality.
What is Taylor & Zajontz?
Does China benefit more than Africa in BRI?
What is often yes, due to dependency structures?
This theory explains how China exports capital abroad to deal with economic problems at home.
What is the spatial fix?
African actors operate not just in the state, but also in this broader sphere.
What is social agency / beyond the state?
The authors argue BRI may deepen this problem in Africa.
What is dependency?
African elites often control negotiations with China through this type of structure.
What are state institutions / elite negotiations?
Can China–Africa relations be mutually beneficial?
What is possible, but limited by power imbalance?
This term describes economies where sectors don’t connect well internally.
What are disarticulated economies?
African agency is described as uneven because of differences in this.
What is politics / power structures within Africa?
Chinese investment is often focused on this type of economic activity.
What is resource extraction?
Chinese-African relations often happen through this type of agreement.
What are bilateral deals?
What determines whether African countries benefit from China?
What is domestic politics / agency / governance?
This concept explains how Africa remains dependent on external powers, even new ones like China.
What is dependency?
This idea challenges the belief that China fully controls Africa.
What is African actors negotiate and shape outcomes?
The BRI is driven largely by solving this problem inside China.
What is overaccumulation / surplus capital / economic slowdown?
Power in China–Africa relations is best understood as this (not one-sided).
What is negotiated / dynamic?
What is the biggest risk of BRI for Africa?
What is deepening dependency + debt?