The politics of oil in the new scramble for africa: united states and china in angola

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p>1.1BACKGROUND<br>The scramble for Africa can be explained according to historical documents as a period of rapid colonization of territories and this is in line with the belief that man is a political animal that will continue to struggle for survival; hence the survival of the fittest. Having noted that, it is therefore understandable to a large extent the reason why states in the international system sought to expand their territories which in turn led to the scramble. The scramble is colonization for three basic reasons; political, economic and religious expansion. Africa has been and is still the ground for international exploits and this has affected the economy of nations within it for ill or good. States that possess the power in the International system have maintained their positions through the level of influence they possess in the international system. This is done through influencing of various political leaders and in turn the affairs of their various states in other to achieve their personal interest. This however, has led to anarchy in the international system as there is the expression of Egotism and ‗flexing of muscles‘. States display this by use of Power Politics.<br>On the other hand, the contemporary international system is different from what it used to be. States are a lot more liberal in their relationship with other states because there is now the presence of International Institutions guiding the conduct of state relations so as to prevent the outbreak of war (although this was unsuccessful twice in 1914 and 1939).<br>Based on the foregoing, it can be assumed that Africa has always been under the control of the superpowers and has been used as a pawn in the hands of the bigger states. The new scramble for Africa manifested much more in the 21st century and has been aided by the era of globalization. Africa has been and is still struggling to catch up with the pace of development and modern technology of the modern age. Take, for example the fact that most of the African states do not fully understand the concept of liberal democracy and are still having to cope with incidents of civil war .A good example is the subject of this project, Angola. The country is known to have suffered major civil unrest since its independence. However in recent times, it is known to be one of the oil producing countries to reckon with. As at 2008, Angola was said to be the fifth largest supplier of oil to U.S. (two places above Nigeria) also it became the largest exporter of oil to China (taking the place of Saudi Arabia). The relationship between Angola‘s oil production and its internal crisis is based on the role of transnational oil corporations…………</p><p><strong>1.2STATEMENT OF PROBLEM</strong><br>Against the backdrop of the Africa becoming the epicenter of the scramble for oil and some other mineral resources, several studies have been conducted into how the 21st century scramble affects the continent and its units, particularly the oil producing countries, Angola inclusive. This majorly, has been on the basis of the implications that the presence and interests of the major powers would have on the continent and some of its units. However, there has been scanty literature on how the presence of China and the United States, two important players in the neo-scramble for Africa, in Angola impacts on the country; hence this study. As such, this study seeks to demonstrate the grave implications that the politico-economic dimension of the US and China‘s scramble for oil and gas resources in Angola might have on the country.</p><p><strong>1.3OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY</strong><br>The specific objectives of the study are to:<br>1. examine the growing importance of the continent to national, regional and global security;<br>2. identify the complex issues involved in the international politics of oil in Angola; and to<br>3. analyze the politico-economic and security implications engendered by the different American and Chinese interests and presence in Angola for the country.<br><strong>1.4RESEARCH QUESTIONS</strong><br>1. In your opinion, how would you regard the 21st century race for resources in Africa?<br>2. Which countries are the major scramblers for the continent?<br>3. How has the neo-scramble for the continent impact on the numerous African oil and gas<br>producing states?<br>4. What implications would the intensification of American and Chinese presence and<br>interests in Angola engender for African units, particularly Angola?<br>5. In the light of the deepening of US and China‘s interests in the country, how is Angola<br>responding to the myriad challenges triggered by the growing involvement of external<br>interests in its confines?<br><strong>1.5RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS</strong><br>For the purpose of this research study, the research work is going to make use of Null hypothesis (H0) and Alternative hypothesis (H1).<br>H0. Oil is not an instrument in the new scramble for Africa<br>H1. Oil is an instrument in the new scramble for Africa.<br>H0. There is no oil politics in Angola<br>H1. There is oil politics in Angola</p> <br><p></p>