The Self-Deception Trap - Exploring the Economic Dimensions of Charity Dependency within Africa-Europe Relations

This book examines the economic relationship between Africa and Europe. It highlights the stigmatized narratives about Africa and analyses how they influence a range of key actors and processes. This is illustrated by the actions of European actors who reinforce negative narratives through replacing real economic transformation and development with charity, while African leaders compete to maximize aid donations and help further these narratives.
This book acknowledges the complex history of the relations between Africa and Europe and details the ways in which Africa has become a peripheral player in the world economy. It will be relevant to researchers and policymakers interested in development and African economics.
This is an open access book.

List of contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: A Masterclass in Dealing with Passive Aggressive Behaviour.- Chapter 2: Empires of the Mind.- Chapter 3: The Disappointing Discussion about Aid Effectiveness.- Chapter 4: Comparative Advantage is an Old-Fashioned Trick.- Chapter 5: Lost Decades or Blessing?.- Chapter 6: The Good Samaritan Loses their Way.- Chapter 6: Migration Takes Centre Stage.- Chapter 7: The Free Trade Fantasy.- Chapter 8: Conclusions: A New Era of African Agency.

About the author

Carlos Lopes is a Professor at the Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town and Affiliate Professor at Sciences Po, Paris. He has occupied important leadership positions across the United Nations, the African Union, and academic institutions.

Product details

• Authors: Carlos Lopes
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 12.08.2024
• EAN: 9783031575938
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3157593-8
• No. of pages: 252
• Dimensions: 148 mm x 210 mm x 210 mm
• Weight: 351 g
• Illustrations: XVI, 252 p.
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Business > Economics; Wirtschaftswissenschaft, Afrika, Open Access, auseinandersetzen, Internationaler Handel und Gewerbe, Development Economics, African Economics, International Trade, Aid effectiveness, Global Value Chains, Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), Commodity-driven rent, African development trajectory, Colonial economic legacy, Resource curse, Socio-economic indicators, EU-Africa trade agreements, African demographic transition, EU-Africa trade relations, African migration to Europe