China has made significant inroads into much of the global south, a trend that does not always receive adequate attention in the West. China's image in those countries has deteriorated in recent years, and there appears to be an assumption that this is universal. However, polling data from Africa and the Middle East show that China's reputation in the developing world is in much better shape.
In today's podcast, we are joined by Dr. Lina Benabdallah. Dr. Lina Benabdallah is a Wake Forest University assistant professor of politics and international affairs. Her research interests include international relations theory, foreign policy, critical theories of power, past politics, and knowledge production and hegemony in South-South relations. Dr. Lina will provide an overview of China's influence in the Global South, as well as why China is viewed positively by African countries. She will also discuss how China gained positive impressions from Africans and how this affects the global stage.
Takeaways
Overview of China’s influence on the Global South
The difference between Western perspectives and the Global South to China
Africa’s positive impressions of China
Position of Africans in the US-China conflict
China’s influence in terms of relations and production
Quotes
Positive impressions and perceptions of China in Africa come from these tangible projects, goods, and infrastructure that people can use to make their life easier - Dr. Lina
China is identifying itself as a member of the Global South family. This makes them more appealing to countries in the Global South, as well as a model for countries aspiring to be great nations. - Dr. Lina
Featured in this Episode
Jonathan Fulton
Nonresident Senior Fellow for Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council. Assistant Professor of Political Science at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi
Profile: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/jonathan-fulton/
Linkedin: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-fulton-2627414b
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonathandfulton
Dr. Lina Benabdallah
Assistant Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Wake Forest University
https://linabenabdallah.com
https://twitter.com/lbenabdallah
Her Book:
Shaping the future of Power, Knowledge, Production, and Network Building in China-Africa relations
https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Future-Power-Network-Building-China-Africa/dp/0472074547
https://www.press.umich.edu/10194365/shaping_the_future_of_power
The Article mentioned:
China's Soft Power Advantage in Africa
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/africa/2021-12-23/chinas-soft-power-advantage-africa
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:17 An Overview of China’s outreach to the Global South
09:10 Western perspective of China versus the perspective of the Global South
16:11 Reasons why China has positive impressions in Africa
24:13 Africans in the US-China conflict
35:58 Developing the social capital of Africa
45:06 Measuring China’s influence in terms of relations and productions
51:57 Professional approach to learning China’s influence in the Global South
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