CHINA’S INCREASING INTEREST IN AFRICA: IMPLICATIONS FOR NIGERIA’S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CHINA’S INCREASING INTEREST IN AFRICA: IMPLICATIONS FOR NIGERIA’S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The most widely accepted approach to the study of why nations relate with one another is the theory of realism (T. Dunne 2009:56). Realism as a theory of international relation is based on the idea that nations only relate with one another for self interest (national interest) and the desire for one nation to dominate the other (hegemony).2 However, another school of thought  sees the essence of international relations in another perspective. This school of thought postulate the desire of nations to relate on the basis of common interest and the need for common development.3 This school of thought is based on the theory of liberalism and idealism.4 This theory stated   there is the need for nations to relate with one another and this kind of relationship is meant to foster national development.5

2.     Additionally, it is expedient to note that nations relate generally for different reasons. There can be diplomatic relations based on politics, economic, social, and military reasons.6  The  more economic viable nations  depend heavily on the  less economic viable nations to suceed.7 It is however sad to note that most developing countries of the world especially countries of Africa are  consuming nations. Although most natural resources of the world lies within this territory, the lack of a technological base and other deplorable state of infrastructure has bedeviled their industrial capacity for manufacturing.8 They  depend highly on importations of products manufactured from more industrialized and developed nations. Likewise, the developed nations of the world depend on the less developed nations for natural resources for their industries. All pointed towards the need for interdependence for attainment of national development. According to the Karen Mingst, national development encompasses the whole structure of nation’s developmental capacity which has economic development as its fulcrum.

CHINA’S INCREASING INTEREST IN AFRICA: IMPLICATIONS FOR NIGERIA’S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT