Impact of Globalization on African Conflicts

<p>There is no region of this world that not experienced wars but while many parts of the world have moved towards greater political and economic stability and co-operation sub-Saharan Africa remains a cauldron of instability and economic deprivation. Globalization which in simple terms means a worldwide network of interdependence is a phenomenon which emerged at the end of the Cold War and the advent of the information revolution. While economic interdependence and liberalization has been acclaimed as the only hope for prosperity for the world it has also been blamed as source of conflict in many parts of the world. This thesis examines the nexus between globalization and contemporary African conflicts with case studies of conflict scenarios in four African countries namely the Democratic Republic of Congo Sierra Leone Nigeria and Guinea to ascertain the extent to which globalization played a role in sustaining these conflicts. The conclusion of this dissertation is that contemporary African conflicts have both national and international underpinnings and include political social and economic parameters. On the socio-political side the conflicts are directly related to the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of independence the multiethnic composition of the states and the more often cited causes generally subsumed under the generic label governance. It also shows that the increased liberalization and expansion of international trade which occurred in the aftermath of the Cold War has exacerbated the level and intensity of the conflicts in three of the countries analyzed.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>