Collective Self-Reliance: Restarting the Concept in the Sahel in the Context of a Multipolarizing World Order
Author:
Degterev D.A.
Abstract:
This article is devoted to restarting the concept of “Collective Self-Reliance” (CSR) taking into account the emergence of a multipolar world. Particular attention is paid to the attempts of African countries to get out of the center-periphery model of dependent development through the implementation of this concept. The theoretical foundations of the CSR concept, enshrined in the Arusha Declaration of 1967, the Arusha Program for Collective Self-Reliance and Framework for Negotiations of 1979, and in a number of documents of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the African Union (AU), are presented. The attitude towards CSR is shown in the works of Western experts, scholars from the USSR and Russia, as well as contemporary researchers from the former republics of Yugoslavia. Interpretations of the concept are given, based on the works of Johan Galtung, Samir Amin, and German experts. The practice of applying the concept in Burkina Faso and the neighboring countries, as well as in Tanzania, is shown. A critical analysis of the results of the implementation of the concept and the possibilities of its implementation in the modern realities of global capitalism was carried out. Particular attention is paid to the levels of implementation of the concept as well as the theory and practice of delinking – a temporary decoupling of economic ties with the countries of the “collective West”. It is concluded that, in the 2020s, multi-level implementation of the CSR concept (local, country level, Alliance of Sahel States level, “World Majority” level) seems even more realistic than at the time of its development. This is facilitated by the dominance of non-Western economies in the global framework, macrohistorical processes of decoupling, as well as the key role of the “World Majority” countries in the current economic ties of the Sahel countries. A limiting factor in this is the large-scale flow of Western aid to the region.
Keywords:
Africa, Alliance of Sahel States, peripheral development, Non-Aligned Movement, sovereignty, Self-Reliance, international aid, delinking, World Majority
DOI:
10.31132/2412-5717-2024-67-2-60-81
References:
1. Abramova I.O. (Ed.). (2023). Africa: Colonizers’ Unpaid Debt. Moscow: Institute for African Studies. (In Russ.)
2. Abramova I.O., Fituni L.L. (2022). Ways to Increase the Efficiency of Russia’s African Strategy under the Crisis of the Existing World Order. Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Vol. 92. № 5. Pp. 569–579. https://doi.org/10.1134/s101933162205001x
3. Abramova I.O., Morozenskaya E.V. (Eds.). (2016). Africa: Current Strategies for Economic Development. Moscow: Institute for African Studies. (In Russ.)
4. Ahmed K., Liu K. et al (2020). Anatomy of Eastern Niger Rift Basin with Specific References of Its Petroleum Systems. International Journal of Geosciences. Vol. 11. № 5. Pp. 305–324. https://doi.org/10. 4236/ijg.2020.115016
5. Amir S. (1987). A Note on the Concept of Delinking. Review (Fernand Braudel Center). Vol. 10. № 3. Pp. 435–444.
6. Amir S. (1990). Delinking. Towards a Polycentric World. London: Zed Books.
7. Avakov R.M., Maydanik K.L. (Eds.). (1974). Developing countries: patterns, trends, prospects. Moscow: Mysl. (In Russ.)
8. Axline W.A. (1986). Agricultural Policy and Collective Self-Reliance in the Caribbean. Boulder: Westview Press.
9. Bauer P. (1977). Collective Self-Reliance as Development Strategy. Intereconomics. Vol. 12. № 5–6. Pp. 120–125. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02928706
10. Biersteker T. (1980). Self-reliance in theory and practice in Tanzanian trade relations. International Organization. Vol. 34. № 02. Pp. 229–264. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818300018750
11. Blaney D. (1996). Reconceptualizing Autonomy: The Difference Dependency Theory Makes. Review of International Political Economy. Vol. 3. № 3. Pp. 459–497. https://doi.org/10.1080/0969229960 8434365
12. Bondarenko D.M., Nkyabonaki J., Mkunde B.M. (2013). Foreign Aid and Self-Reliance in Post- Socialist Tanzania (The Case of the Distribution of Mosquito Bed Nets). Modern Africa: Politics, History and Society. Vol. 1. № 1. Pp. 67–103.
13. Bon-Hak K. (1992). Political Economy of Self-Reliance: Juche and Economic Development in North Korea, 1961–1990. Seoul: Research Center for Peace and Reunification of Korea.
14. Brown W. (2013). Sovereignty Matters: Africa, Donors, and the Aid Relationship. African Affairs. Vol. 112. № 447. Pp. 262–282.
15. Davidchuk A.S., Degterev D.A., Korendyasov E.N. (2022). Soviet Structural Aid to the Republic of Mali in 1960–1968. Vestnik RUDN. International Relations. Vol. 22. № 4. P. 714–727. https://doi.org/10. 22363/2313-0660-2022-22-4-714-727
16. Davidchuk A.S., Degterev D.A., Sidibe O. (2022). France’s Military Presence in Mali: Structural Power of the Sub-empire of the “Collective West”. Current Problems of Europe. № 4 (116). Pp. 50–78. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31249/ape/2022.04.03
17. Degterev D.A. (2021a). Non-Western Theories of Development in the Global Capitalism Era. World Eсonomy and International Relations. Vol. 65. № 4. Pp. 113–122. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.20542/ 0131-2227-2021-65-4-113-122
18. Degterev D.A. (2021b). “Ideologic Multipolarity” by Leonid Savin: Limits and Opportunities. National Strategy Issues. № 5 (68). Pp. 184–188. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.52311/2079-3359_2021_5_184
19. Degterev D.A. (2022). Value Sovereignty in the Era of Global Convergent Media. Vestnik RUDN. International Relations. Vol. 22. № 2. Pp. 352–371. https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-0660-2022-22-2-352-371
20. Degterev D.A. (2023a). To the End of the “Postcolonial Moment” of the Anti-colonial Struggle: Outlines of the New Research Program. Postcolonialism and Modernity. Vol. 1. № 1. Pp. 13–46. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31249/j.2949-1711.2023.01.01
21. Degterev D.A., Ramich M.S., Tsvyk A.V. (2021). U.S. – China: “Power Transition” and the Outlines of “Conflict Bipolarity”. Vestnik RUDN. International Relations. Vol. 21. № 2. Pp. 210–231. https://doi. org/10.22363/2313-0660-2021-21-2-210-231
22. Deych T.L. (2018). China in Africa: Neo-Colonial Power or “Win-Win” Strategy? Outlines of Global Transformations: Politics, Economics, Law. Vol. 11. № 5. Pp. 119–141. (In Russ.). http://dx. doi. org/10.23932/2542-0240-2018-11-5-119-141
23. Dugin A.G. (2015). The Theory of a Multipolar World. Pluriversum. Moscow: Academic project. (In Russ.)
24. Fischer K. (2016). Collective self-reliance: failed idea or still a valuable contribution worth considering? Paper presented at the conference “(Conflicting) Political Ontologies and Implications for Transformative Action”. Ljubljana, 27th of May 2016, Department of Sociology, University of Ljubljana. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304019955_Collective_self-reliance_failed_idea_or_still_ a_valuable_contribution_worth_considering (accessed: 20.06.2024)
25. Fituni L., Abramova I. (2014). Aggressive Non-State Actors of Geostrategic Rivalry in ‘Islamic Africa’. Asia and Africa Today. № 12. Pp. 8–15. (In Russ.)
26. Fituni L.L. (Ed.). (2021). Africa: Elites, Sanctions, Sovereign Development. Moscow: Institute for African Studies. (In Russ.)
27. Gadha M.B., Kaboub F., Koddenbrock K., Mahmoud I., Samba Sylla N. (Eds.). (2022). Economy and Monetary Sovereignty in 21st Century Africa. London: Pluto Press.
28. Galtung J. (1976). Self-Reliance: A Concept, Practice and Rationale. University of Oslo. https://transcend.org/galtung/papers/Self-Reliance%20-%20Concept,%20Practice%20and%20Rationale.pdf (accessed: 20.06.2024)
29. Goncharov L.V. (Ed.). (1988). Foreign Concepts of Economic Development of African Countries: Problems of the 80s. Moscow: Nauka. (In Russ.)
30. Gosovic B. (2018). On the Eve of BAPA+40. South – South Cooperation in Today’s Geopolitical Context. Vestnik RUDN. International Relations. Vol. 18. № 3. Pp. 459–478. https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-0660-2018-18-3-459-478
31. Grachikov E., Xu H. (2022). China and the International System: The Formation of a Chinese Model of World Order. International Organisations Research Journal. Vol. 17. № 1. Pp. 7–24. https://doi. org/10.17323/1996-7845-2022-01-01
32. Gromyko A.A. (Ed). (1980). Africa in the 70–80s: The Formation of the National Economy and Development Strategy. Moscow: Nauka. (In Russ.)
33. Khoros V.G., Malysheva D.B. (Eds.). (2013). “Third World”: Half a Century Later. Moscow: IMEMO, RAS. (In Russ.)
34. Kuznetsov A.V. (2019). Concepts of South-South Economic Cooperation. Outlines of global transformations: politics, economics, law. Vol. 12. № 3. Pp. 30–46. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.23932/ 2542-0240-2019-12-3-30-46
35. Kvangraven I.H. (2020). Samir Amin: A Pioneering Marxist and Third World Activist. Development and Change. Vol. 51. № 02. Pp. 631–649. https://doi.org/10.1111/dech.12562
36. Lemper A. (1977). Collective Self-Reliance – A development strategy of promise? Intereconomics. Vol. 12. № 5–6. Pp. 115–120. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02928705
37. Lomanov A.V. (2021). Circulation versus Isolation. China Responded to the West Strategically. Russia in Global Affairs. Vol. 19. № 3. Pp. 8–20. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31278/1810-6439-2021-19-3-8-20
38. Maiga Ch.K. (2020). La Faillite de l’Etat Malien. Les origines, les responsabilités, les pistes de solutions. Bamako.
39. Maslov А.А., Sviridov V.Yu. (2023). From Consonant Rhetoric to Practical Steps. Russia and new challenges in Africa. Russia in Global Affairs. Vol. 21. № 02. Pp. 197–206. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/ 10.31278/1810-6439-2023-21-2-197-206
40. Matsenko I.B. (1990). Africa: Social Development and self-reliance strategy. Moscow: Nauka. (In Russ.)
41. Matthies V. (1979). Collective Self-Reliance: Concept and Reality. Intereconomics. Vol. 14. № 2. Pp. 75–79. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02930201
42. Mbithi Ph., Rasmusson R. (1977). Self-Reliance in Kenya. The Case of Harambee. Uppsala: Scandinavian Institute of African Studies.
43. Mkandawire Th., Soludo Ch. (Eds). (2003). African Voices on Structural Adjustment. A Companion to Our Continent, Our Future. CODESRIA. Trenton: Africa World Press.
44. Murrey A. (2020). Thomas Sankara and a Political Economy of Happiness. In: Oloruntoba S.O., Falola T. (Eds.). The Palgrave Handbook of African Political Economy. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. Pp. 193–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38922-2_10
45. Odijie M.E. (2023). Tension between state-level industrial policy and regional integration in Africa. Third World Quarterly. Vol. 44. № 9. Pp. 1997–2014. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2022.2107901
46. Olaniyan O. (1996). Foreign Aid, Self-Reliance, and Economic Development in West Africa. London: Praeger.
47. Oliveira F.A., Kvangraven I.H. (2023). Back to Dakar: Decolonizing international political economy through dependency theory. Review of International Political Economy. Vol. 30. № 5. Pp. 1676–1700. https://doi.org/10.1080/09692290.2023.2169322
48. Onditi F., Amuhaya C. (2023). Gaming Borderless Internationalism: From International to Interlocalized System Using Ujamaa Epistemology. International Studies. Vol. 60. № 4. Pp. 431–443. https://doi. org/10.1177/00208817231176479
49. Patel S.J. (1975). Collective Self-Reliance of Developing Countries. The Journal of Modern African Studies. Vol. 13. № 4. Pp. 569–583. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022278X00052587
50. Pierzyńska J. (2012). Collective self-reliance: A portrait of a Yugoslav development strategy. Miscellanea Geographica. Vol. 16. № 2. Pp. 30–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/v10288-012-0024-3
51. Riddell B. (1992). Things Fall Apart Again: Structural Adjustment Programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Journal of Modern African Studies. Vol. 30. № 1. Pp. 53–68. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022278 X00007722
52. Rodney W. (1972). Tanzanian Ujamaa and Scientific Socialism. African Review [Dar es Salaam, Tanzania]. Vol. 1. № 4. Pp. 61–76.
53. Sayigh Y. (1991). Elusive Development. From Dependence to Self-Reliance in the Arab Region. London: Routledge.
54. Sirotkina A.I., Alpidovskaya M.L. (2020). Neocolonialism of the XXI century: Globalism and the World-System. Theoretical economics. № 12. Pp. 96–109. (In Russ.)
55. Spaskovska L. (2018). Building a better world? Construction, labour mobility and the pursuit of collective self-reliance in the ‘global South’, 1950–1990. Labor History. Vol. 59. № 03. Pp. 331–351. https://doi. org/10.1080/0023656X.2018.1429185
56. Strange S. (1988). States and markets. New York: Bloomsbury.
57. Strange S. (1994). Wake up, Krasner! The world has changed. Review of International Political Economy. Vol. 1. № 02. Pp. 209–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/09692299408434276
58. Torkunov A.V., Strel’tsov D.V. (2023). Russian Policy of Turning to East: Problems and Risks. World Eсonomy and International Relations. Vol. 67. № 4. Pp. 5–6. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2023-67-4-5-16
59. Vasiliev A.M., Degterev D.A., Shaw T.M. (2023). African Summitry: Representation of “External Other” in the “Power Transit” Era. In: Vasiliev A.M., Degterev D.A., Shaw T.M. (Eds.). Africa and the Formation of the New System of International Relations – Vol. II. Beyond Summit Diplomacy: Cooperation with Africa in the Post-pandemic World. Cham: Springer. Pp. 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/ 978-3-031-34041-3_1
60. Vasiliev A.M., Degterev D.A., Shaw T.M. (2021). Decolonization, Postcolonialism, Multiple Modernities, and Persistent East–West Divide in African Studies. In: Vasiliev A.M., Degterev D.A., Shaw T.M. (Eds.). Africa and the Formation of the New System of International Relations. Rethinking Decolonization and Foreign Policy Concepts. Cham: Springer. Pp. 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77336-6_1
61. Williams D. (2003). Managing Sovereignty: The World Bank and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mondes en Développement. № 3. Pp. 5–21. https://doi.org/ 10.3917/med.123.0005
62. Zakharov A.N., Bulatov A.S. (Eds.). (2019). South: the Path to Economic Independence. Moscow: MGIMO. (In Russ.)
For citation:
Degterev, D.A. (2024). Collective Self-Reliance: Restarting the Concept in the Sahel in the Context of a Multipolarizing World Order. Journal of the Institute for African Studies. № 2. Pp. 60–81. https://doi.org/10.31132/2412-5717-2024-67-2-60-81
Для цитирования:
Дегтерев Д.А. «Коллективная опора на собственные силы»: новое прочтение концепции в Сахеле в контексте становления многополярного мира. Ученые записки Института Африки РАН. 2024. № 2. С. 60–81. https://doi.org/10.31132/2412-5717-2024-67-2-60-81
