African Economic Growth and Development: Lessons from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Abstract

Various scholars have written extensively on issues bordering on development and economic integratio n within the African continent. Some of such studies focus on the colonial period, while others on post -colonial epochs. However, contemporary discussions have rightfully identified that Africa is on the verge of a new wave of imperialism whic h characterized trappings of both the colonial and post -colonial epochs. In spite of dictates of foreign policy, the current globaliza tion set-up is doomed to ensure Africa plays second fiddle. Supporting this further are two key issues. Firstly the ‘boom -burst’ pattern of economic growth in Africa since the 1850s; and secondly the raise of new economic hegemon (s) who constantly seek fo r Africa’s “cheap†primary resource. This paper is therefore a modest attempt to bring these issues into cleare r perspective under the prism of economic integration. Subsisting on the Flying Geese (FG) theoretical framework and adoptin g both quantitative and descriptive methodology, the paper arrives at the conclusion that Africa stands to learn a lot fr om the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The paper further concludes that since this arrangement (i.e. ASEAN ) ‘muscled’ its way into the inter national system, institutional policy responses are needed to ensure Africa avoi ds the same wave of imperialism which characterized the 19 th and 20th centuries.