The United States in Africa: Bush Policy and Beyond (African Arguments)

The George W. Bush administration maintains that in sub-Saharan Africa it is making major new contributions in fighting disease, promoting development, fostering democracy, and promoting peace. Yet, despite the rhetoric, is the Bush Administration really working to bring about a fairer and more just Africa? Though aid has increased and a major AIDS initiative launched, Copson argues that US policy in Africa falls well short of meeting reasonable standards of fairness or justice. Foreign aid is losing its focus on development as political priorities come to the fore; U.S. barriers to African exports remain substantial; and the AIDS program is in danger of flagging due to unilateralism and ideological controversy. An increasingly military approach to fighting the ‘Global War on Terror’ in Africa and securing energy imports carries serious risks for the region. Copson concludes by assessing the prospects of a more equitable policy emerging in future administrations. The George W. Bush Administration Maintains That In Sub-saharan Africa It Has Made Major New Contributions In Fighting Disease, Promoting Development, Fostering Democracy, And Promoting Peace. Yet, Despite The Rhetoric, Is The Bush Administration Really Working To Bring About A Fairer And More Just Africa? Though Aid Has Increased And A Major Aids Initiative Has Been Launched, Copson Argues That Us Policy In Africa Falls Well Short Of Meeting Reasonable Standards Of Fairness And Justice. He Concludes By Assessing The Prospects Of A More Equitable Policy Emerging In Future Administrations.--jacket. Introduction -- Aid, Trade, And Development -- Aids Policy -- Democracy And Human Rights -- Conflict And Peacekeeping -- Threats To Security -- Beyond The Bush Administration. Raymond W. Copson. In Association With International African Institute, Royal African Society, Social Science Research Council. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 146-162) And Index.

This book examines the George W. Bush administration's claim to have made major new contributions to health, development, democracy and peace in Sub-Saharan Africa. Though aid has increased and a major AIDS initiative launched, Copson argues that foreign aid is losing its focus on development as political priorities come to the fore; U.S. barriers to African exports remain substantial; and the AIDS program is unilateral and ideologically controversial. Increasingly military approaches to fighting the Global War on Terror in Africa and securing energy imports carries serious risks for the region. Copson concludes by assessing the prospects of a more equitable policy emerging in future administrations.

1 Introduction; 2 Aid, trade, and development: policy improvements less than advertised; 3 AIDS policy: substantial new program weakened by unilateralism and controversy; 4 Democracy and human rights: strong rhetoric, few deeds; 5 Conflict and peacekeeping: limited efforts, low priorities; 6 Threats to security: caution needed in the US response; 7 Beyond the Bush administration: toward a fairer and more just Africa policy; Notes; Index Is the Bush Administration really working to bring about a fairer and more just Africa? This book argues that US policy in Africa falls short of meeting reasonable standards of fairness or justice. It concludes by assessing the prospects of an equitable policy.