Introduction: Africa in World Politics — Changing Perspectives

Abstract

During the early 1960s, when the majority of African states were gaining independence, there was great optimism that the continent could effectively mobilise its vast resources in order to make an impact on the world political stage. This hope was bolstered by the confident assertion of non-alignment and the fact that Africa accounted for almost one-third of the world’s total number of states. In the mid-1980s, however, this optimism has given way to disillusionment as Africa has become increasingly marginal in global political and economic affairs and, furthermore, has been forced to pursue introspective policies as its countries struggle with economic hardship and seemingly endemic political instability.