Date of Award
5-1-2009
Degree Type
Thesis
University or Center
Clark Atlanta University(CAU)
School
School of Arts and Sciences
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Dr. Abi Awomolo
Second Advisor
Dr. FSJ Ledgister
Abstract
This study examines whether a meta-theoretical approach to African International Relations yields more descriptive utility and explanatory capacity to describing the behavior and relations of the African state than traditional general theory approaches based on a single primary determinant. It suggests that a multiple theory – multi determinant approach to assessing African state behavior and relations grants greater theoretical and empirical parallels to state and system realities than single theory primary determinant approaches. This study builds a meta-theory of African International Relations by which to collectively utilize the most commonly applied and descriptive conventional and non-conventional theories employed in the topic area. This meta-theory, referred to as Syncarpathic theory, combines a host of theoretical approaches while negating the inter-theory contradictions that would limit the utility of each theory based on their differing assumptions. Syncarpathic theory will provide a model of African International Relations with greater descriptive parallels to system and state realities. The presentation of a meta-theoretical approach will provide an alternative lens by which to view African state behavior and relations addressing the fundamental problem of “description” existing within African political discourse.
Recommended Citation
Wheatley, Ricardo, "Contemporary Re-examination of African International Relations" (2009). ETD Collection for Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center. Paper 88.
http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/88