An exploration of the foreign policies of major states and international organizations towards Africa. The text works within a political economy framework in order to study how these powers have attempted to stimulate democracy, peace and prosperity in the context of neo-liberal hegemony and asks who these attempts have benefited and failed.

This book provides the first comprehensive, critical and up-to-date analysis of the policies of the major external actors towards Africa after the Cold War. The chapters focus on the policies of the United States, the UK, France, China, Russia, Japan and Canada, as well as the European Union, International Financial Institutions and United Nations peacekeeping.

Introduction: Understanding Africa's Place in World Politics Ian Taylor and Paul Williams 1. The Contending Currents in United States Involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa James J. Hentz 2. Britain and Africa after the Cold War: Beyond Damage Limitation? Paul Williams 3. France's policy towards Africa: Continuity or Change? Daniela Kroslak 4. The "All-Weather Friend"? Sino-African Interaction in the Twenty-First Century Ian Taylor 5. Russia and Africa: Moving in the right direction? Vladimir Shubin 6. Japan-Africa Relations: Patterns and Prospects Scarlett Cornelissen 7. Canada and Africa: Activist Aspirations in Straitened Circumstances David Black 8. The European Union's External Relations with Africa after the Cold War: Aspects of Continuity and Change Stephen R. Hurt 9. The International Financial Institutions' Relations with Africa: Insights from the Issue of Representation and Voice Caroline Thomas 10. From Congo to Congo: United Nations Peacekeeping in Africa after the Cold War Adekeye Adebajo