The socio-economic and political implications of globalization on Africa : an international relations perspective

Abstract

The study looked at the socio-economic and political implications of globalization on Africa. The study found that the origin of globalization in Africa has to be understood as a historical process which has been going on for hundreds of years including the role transatlantic slave trade in the integration of the continent in the global market economy. However, Africa as a continent has not benefited much from the globalization process. It still finds itself in a marginal position in the global economy and information technology revolution. Africa lacks the capacity to conceptualize and analyze the politico-economic, socio-cultural and environmental implications of globalization including Information technology Transfer for its sustainable socioeconomic development. African's sustainable development and competitiveness in the global economy is acerbated by the problem of brain drain to the industrialized countries. The study recommends that the industrialized countries as the leaders and mam beneficiaries of the globalization process must revise their conception of development, and thus globalization. They should realize that global economic growth without social, economic and cultural justice cannot be the norm for the international community to follow. It is imperative that sustainable development under globalization is measured in terms of the improvement of quality of standards of living for the vast majority of humans. The majority of the poor are in Africa. This should be reflected in terms of improved standards of living with regard to better education, health-care, increased employment opportunities for both male and female, increased life expectancy and a peaceful environment for sustainable development devoid of any form of conflicts.