LE3 .A278 2019

2019

Mutlu, Can

Acadia University

Bachelor of Arts

Honours

Political Science

Politics

Since the early 2000s, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has become increasingly active on the international stage. This has manifested as China exerts influence on its ‘near-abroad’ in Africa as it looks to fill a power vacuum as traditional superpowers like the United States back off the world stage. While looking to avoid colonial rhetoric, China has exerted influence via the use of soft power through international organizations which provide the opportunity to build Chinese international prestige. This thesis explores the following question: how has China used international organizations to further its geopolitical interests in East Africa? Chapter 2 conducts an examination of geopolitics and explores the evolution of the term, arguing that a neoclassical understanding of geopolitics is necessary to understand China’s use of international organizations. Chapter 3 focuses on the infrastructure investments and use of soft power by China, with specific emphasis on the multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, the Chinese push for military bases along the East African coast and for a blue water navy, and educational reforms and pop culture investments in states such as Kenya. Chapter 4 discusses Chinese involvement in information and communications technology development in Rwanda through international organizations, drawing from numerous interviews and focusing on the work of the United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, the International Telecommunication Organization, and the African Union.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3242