The New Pan-Africanism

Nationalism and the nation state, globalization and Pan-Africanism are leading international relations concepts which have a particular relevance for Africa as an emerging economic power. This book examines the concept of nationalism, the nationalist mind-set or ''psychology of nationalism'' and the role of the nation state in an era of globalization. The idea of Pan-Africanism has animated African thinkers and statesmen throughout the twentieth century and the Organisation of African Unity was founded in the era of decolonization in 1963. But the ''new'' Pan-Africanism is a growing force, spurred by economic growth and Africa''s rising global significance. Recent years have seen the establishment of the African Central Bank, African Monetary Fund and the African Continental Free Trade Area - all aiming to work together to promote African interests more widely and encourage further economic investment and development. Michael Amoah here investigates concepts of nationalism and the nation state through case studies of eight countries and asks whether these concepts can survive the impact of globalization in African states where Pan-Africanism is an increasingly significant factor in both domestic politics and international relations.