Introduction to the Special Issue: Strategic Deployment of the China Model in Africa

Hodzi, Obert ORCID: 0000-0001-5896-3414 and Åberg, John HS (2020) Introduction to the Special Issue: Strategic Deployment of the China Model in Africa Politics & Policy, 48 (5). pp. 804-814. ISSN 1555-5623, 1747-1346

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Abstract

This introductory article examines the concept of strategic localization, which is central to the theme of this Special Issue of Politics & Policy. We focus on how African states, for regime survival and/or pragmatic reasons, reinterpret China's development discourse and preferences and implement them in their local contexts. We hypothesize that the China model of development has become a rhetorical commonplace used to legitimize policies perceived to be: (1) better for regime survival (e.g., no political conditionalities; dissemination of resources to elites); and (2) superior to other development models (more suitable for developing countries, better at developing strong states). The article will also give a synopsis of the other articles in the Special Issue—highlighting their main arguments and findings. Related Articles (in this Special Issue): Åberg, John H. S., and Derick Becker. 2020. “China as Exemplar: Justin Lin, New Structural Economics, and the Unorthodox Orthodoxy of the China Model.” Politics & Policy 48 (5). Babones, Salvatore. 2020. “China's Development Model: Can it be Replicated in Sub-Saharan Africa?” Politics & Policy 48 (5). Hodzi, Obert. 2020. “African Political Elites and the Making(s) of the China Model in Africa.” Politics & Policy 48 (5).

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	China Model, Special Issue, Africa, China-Africa, Strategic Localization, Regime Survival, China's Development Discourse, Development Models
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	12 Oct 2020 13:55
Last Modified:	23 May 2026 05:09
DOI:	10.1111/polp.12378
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3104057
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