Call for Papers: "Neo-Imperialism" in Post-Independence Africa at Yale, 03/09

"Neo-Imperialism" in Post-Independence Africa: Definitions, Case Studies and Human Impacts

Yale University, March 27 - 28, 2009

Keynote Speakers:
Immanuel Wallerstein – Yale University
Eunice Njeri Sahle – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Yale Council on African Studies and the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies invite submissions of papers by graduate students, advanced scholars and policy practitioners on the topic of "neo-imperialism" and its human impacts in post-independence Africa. Interested participants should send a one-page résumé and an abstract of approximately 300 words to Jason Warner at jason.warner@yale.edu by January 31, 2009.

This symposium seeks to investigate the nature of Africa's international relations in the post-independence era in an attempt to understand if, and in what forms, contemporary versions of "neo-imperialism" exist on the African continent, and consequently, how they impact Africa's populations. In particular, it seeks to gain greater insight into the ways in which academics and practitioners understand and employ the term "neo-imperial" in relation to Africa. In this discourse, fundamental questions as to the nature of post-independence African international relations are raised, including: Have African nations truly gained the economic and political sovereignty that was implied by their accession to independence, or are they beholden to the whims outside poles of power? To what extent do larger geo-political struggles of power between nations continue to be played out as proxy wars on African soil and what are the implications for economic, political and human developments on the continent? Where can the distinction between "neo-imperialism" and "globalization" actually be drawn?

Topics of Interest Include:

1. Definitions and discourse on understanding "neo-imperialism" in the African context:

a. Historical, comparative and theoretical perspectives

2. Case studies discussing questions of "neo-imperialism" of African relations with:

a. Former colonial / Cold War powers

b. Emerging powers, specifically from the Global South

c. Multinational corporations

d. International Financial Institutions

3. African responses to "neo-imperialism:"

a. African agency in engaging and/or rejecting "neo-imperialism"

b. Responses from national, regional, pan-African, and Diasporic organisms

4. Human impacts of "neo-imperialism," specifically in regards to:

a. Economic development

b. Political development

c. Human rights

Generous funding provided by:

Yale Council on African Studies, Gaddis Smith Lecture Series, and the Dean's Graduate Fund

Page Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.