Location
School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Durham University
African Modernities in the Context of Global Relations
Stephen Chan
SOAS University of London
2:00-3:00pm Monday
12 February 2024
Room ER231, Elvet Riverside, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Durham University
Abstract
The performance of modernity can be strong in Africa. The South African initiative in taking Israel to the International Court of Justice is one example; the complex debt negotiations undertaken by Zambia throughout 2023 is another. Africa is enmeshed in a modern world where, e.g. relations with China must be conducted in terms of high finance. But, as with almost all modernities, backdrops of cultural traditionalism can be detected and sometimes cynically used in African politics. This in itself is a sophisticated blend, even with sometimes brutal application. The least that can be said is that there is nothing ‘primitive’ about Africa.
Speaker Biography
Stephen Chan is Professor of World Politics at SOAS University of London, where he has also been Foundation Dean. He has worked, and also from time to time lived, in Africa since 1979, helped formulate and pioneer election observation in the 1980 Zimbabwe independence elections, and has been a member of African delegations negotiating in Beijing. He has received state honours from both the UK and Zambia, as well as many academic honours, including the 2010 International studies Association title, Eminent Scholar in Global Development. He has published 37 academic books and continues to advise governments, opposition parties and international agencies.