China's hegemonizing policy and its characterization in Africa; measures and countermeasures

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 A Ph.D. Candidate of International Relations, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar. Iran.

2 Assistant Professor of International Relations, Department of Political Science & International Relations, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar. Iran.

3 Professor of International Relations, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar. Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: The discourse on China's position within the contemporary international system remains a key issue for foreign policy analysts. This article addresses the central question: How does China envision the hegemonization of its global standing, and what role and position does Africa hold in this strategy? The primary objective of this research is to provide a critical analysis of China-Africa relations that extends beyond purely economic or geopolitical dimensions, focusing on how China's potential hegemony on the continent is formed, maintained, and challenged. The research hypothesis posits that China's influence in Africa is an attempt to establish a dominant position through mechanisms of "consent" and "coercion," which is met with the active agency of African actors. This process, framed within Gramsci's concept of a "war of position," renders the relationship dynamic and perpetually negotiated. By employing Antonio Gramsci's theory of hegemony, this study examines the hidden layers of power, intellectual and cultural leadership, and civil society control to offer a deeper understanding of China's growing influence.

Method: This study is qualitative and analytical, utilizing thematic analysis to identify key patterns. Data has been collected from library resources, scholarly documents, official reports, and other relevant texts. The analytical process involves several stages: familiarization with the data, generation of initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing and defining themes, and producing the final report. The theoretical framework is grounded in Gramscian concepts such as hegemony, consent and coercion, organic ideology, organic intellectuals, the historic bloc, and the war of position. The literature review highlights the study's innovation in applying Gramsci's theory cohesively to analyze Chinese influence. The article is structured into sections covering the theoretical foundations, literature review, methodology, findings, and conclusion, and a thematic table is used to organize the analysis.

Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that China's strategy in Africa is a sophisticated combination of "consent" and "coercion." This strategy includes massive infrastructure investments (e.g., railways and ports), extensive loans ($153 billion between 2000 and 2022), and the promotion of narratives like "win-win cooperation" and "South-South solidarity" through state-owned media, Confucius Institutes, and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). While these actions cultivate an organic ideology and align elites, they are accompanied by concerns such as "debt-trap diplomacy" and a lack of transparency. In response, African agency manifests as a "war of position"—encompassing investigative journalism, civil society activism, labor union movements, academic research, and pan-African initiatives like Agenda 2063—which challenges Chinese hegemony. African elites, such as Paul Kagame of Rwanda, engage with China strategically, while civil society focuses on labor issues, environmental impacts, and the risks of dependency. These interactions reveal the dynamic and non-unilateral nature of the relationship.

Conclusion: China's hegemony in Africa is not a form of direct colonial domination but a novel type based on economic consent, ideological alignment, and dependency, which faces continuous challenges from African actors. This process demonstrates a dynamic relationship whose future is heavily dependent on African agency, global shifts, and China's ability to maintain consent. It is recommended that future research focus on specific country case studies and the role of organic intellectuals to better understand the diversity of impacts and responses. This analysis underscores that hegemony is always under negotiation, and through a "war of position," Africa can redefine its place in the global order.

Keywords

References

 
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