MACMILLAN EU-China-Africa Trilateral Relations in a Multipolar World: Hic Sunt Dracones (The European Union in International Affairs)

This book considers the effect of China’s unprecedented economic growth and more prominent geopolitical role in the twenty-first century. Rising powers considerably alter international relations, leading to the emergence of a multipolar world order that impacts more traditional international players like the European Union (EU). China’s growing economic and diplomatic influence is particularly relevant in Africa, where it presents an alternative to conventional North-South relations and proposes a new type of South-South partnership. Stahl examines the EU’s foreign policy response regarding China’s growing presence in Africa, as well as the EU’s attempts to refocus attention on the African continent. Drawing on a rich body of evidence collected through fieldwork in China and Africa, and extensive expert interviews, the author sheds light on the novel trend of EU-China-Africa trilateral relations. The book offers a new analytical framework for the study of the EU’s foreign policy of engagement with emerging powers and will appeal to graduate students and scholars interested in the EU’s international role, international relations and development, as well as contemporary Chinese and African studies. Review “China’s role in Africa’s development has faced abundant academic polemic in the last decade. This book proposes a welcome, balanced account of a fascinating facet of this story. … Stahl offers a powerful account of how the EU’s liberal bureaucratic institutions and diplomatic practices failed to cope with the rise of non-European development actors.” (Ueli Staeger, Journal of Common Market Studies JCMS, Vol. 56 (5), July, 2018) Review “Stahl’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of EU-China-Africa relations and the complex dynamics driving these ties. It represents a combination of sound theoretical knowledge and meticulous empirical investigation.” (Professor Christopher Alden, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK) “No other book makes better sense of the interplay between Europe, China and Africa.” (Professor He Wenping, Institute of West Asian and African Studies (IWAAS), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), China) “At a time when Africa's development and foreign relations are in flux, this book shows the common ground and the differences between key international actors. A must-read for policy-makers from the three continents.” (Uwe Wissenbach, European External Action Service (EEAS)) “As multipolarity defines the geopolitics of the 21st century, Stahl's book is essential reading to grasp the key linkages of two continents - Africa and Europe - with China, the world's second largest economy.” (Patrick I. Gomes, Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States) “This systematic analysis could not be timelier: in a post-Western world, new or emerging foreign policy actors – China, Africa, and, yes, the EU – have to learn to cooperate. Stahl provides excellent insights into this endeavour.” (Dr. Sven Grimm, Former Director of the Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS), Stellenbosch University, South Africa) “This book is an excellent guide for scholars and practitioners involved in EU foreign policy towards China and Africa. It offers a comprehensive overview of the interaction between different EU institutions and shows the precursory role of the European Parliament in addressing China’s presence in Africa.” (Jo Leinen, MEP and Chairman of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with China) “Drawing on three different cases studies, Stahl’s book perfectly illustrates the growing importance of EU-China-Africa trilateral relations in a rapidly shifting world. The timely volume offers a host of new empirical insights as it draws on a notably rich body of evidence collected through painstaking field research in China and Africa.” (Professor Zhimin Chen, Dean and Jean Monnet Chair, School of International Relations and