Modern post-colonial relations between independent states in Asia and Africa date back to the lat... more Modern post-colonial relations between independent states in Asia and Africa date back to the late 1940s. This article focuses on China, India, Japan, and Korea, whose relations with Africa during the Cold War went through several phases according to domestic political and economic conditions, the international environment, and political and economic conditions in Africa. The post-Cold War situation created a unique historical momentum to redefine relations with the continent. A11 four countries could build upon their positive image in Africa and aspire to become new leaders in Africa's foreign relations. China had stroňg economic and political domestic reasons to turn to Africa, formulated a relativelY cohesive strategy towards the continent, had enough resources to support this strategy, and found a positive response in African countries. Contrarily, Japan lacked financial íesources anďsuffered from being perceived as pafi of the West, India failed to formulate a coherent strategy towards Africa and lacked financial resources, and Korea did not have strong interests on the continent, This explains the success of China in Africa; however, in thďlast decade India, Japan and Korea have starled more pro-active policies in Africa. By recognizing the limits of China's engagement in Africa, they can define their own comparative advantages and exploit new opportunities.
Journal of Nationalism, Memory & Language Politics, 2018
Economic cooperation between the US and Kenya has reflected the ups and downs in the relations be... more Economic cooperation between the US and Kenya has reflected the ups and downs in the relations between the two countries. Since independence, both countries have converged on security issues and diverged on questions of democracy and human rights. When Barack Obama was elected as the President of the US, Kenya expected to get an "Obama bonus" in the form of closer trade and investment cooperation. This article analyzes what is the image of US-Kenya economic relations in the news discourse. The analysis reveals that three different and competing narratives are present in the news discourse in Kenya. The US disseminates a narrative that economy, security, good governance and human resources are four interconnected and mutually reinforcing pillars of African development; Kenya must make progress in all these four pillars, and the US is ready to help Kenya. Kenyan leaders seem to internalize the economic part of the narrative and accept the nexus between economy and security, but they reject the nexus between economy and political issues. Finally, the Kenyan society internalizes both these narratives, albeit to a different degree, with the latter prevailing over the former. However, it also produces its own narrative, which presents current US-Kenya economic relations in a different perspective.
Modern Africa: Politics, history and society, 2016
Although virtually all states in the world adhere to market economy, they have different visions ... more Although virtually all states in the world adhere to market economy, they have different visions about how the market economy should work properly. We may identify three main ideal-typical models of market state, welfare state, and developmental state, which are in practice realised by the US, the EU, and Pacific Asia. These ideas about global economy serve as strategic narratives, which are formed within the respective regions, projected into other regions, and received in these other regions. The reception of narratives, particularly by ordinary people, has attracted scholarly attention only very recently and still remains under-studied. This article focuses on the reception of the Chinese narrative towards Africa, which stresses a win-win cooperation based on the "business as usual" approach, with no political interference and no strings attached. Kenya was chosen as a representative case, the discourse analysis of media news discourse as a method, and the leading newspaper The Daily Nation as the source of data. The analysis reveals that the newspaper reproduces this Chinese narrative, while simultaneously challenging it. At least two main constituent parts of this narrative are openly contested on the pages of The Daily Nation: that the Chinese aid to Africa is without conditions and that the Chinese engagement in Africa is selfless and mutually beneficial. Thus, the present article confirms that while Kenyan leadership seems to be charmed by the Chinese narrative, this is not accepted unreservedly within Kenyan society.
The author analyses the very complex relationship between bilateralism, regionalism, and multilat... more The author analyses the very complex relationship between bilateralism, regionalism, and multilateralism in the global trade liberalization agenda. The United States, one of the biggest promoters of trade liberalization through multilateral negotiations, shifted its focus to bilateralism and regionalism in mid-80’s. This shift reflected changes in global economy, end of the US economic dominance, and stagnation of the multilateral negotiations. Major economic powers, including regional semi-powers, started to compete for trade preferences. Today, global economy is filled with a dense network of regional and bilateral agreements, which offer signatories to proceed in trade liberalization beyond the WTO agenda. Although sub-Saharan Africa is the most marginalized region, it is also part of this network. Trade relations between the US and Africa developed in last 15 years under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), unilateral trade preference regime allowing African states duty-free access to the US market. However, as the case study of East African Community member states reveals, the benefit is very limited and very likely will not lead to any substantial changes in trade patterns in Africa.
The present study deals with mediation as a possible tool for peaceful conflict resolution. Media... more The present study deals with mediation as a possible tool for peaceful conflict resolution. Mediation is a non-violent intervention of a third party in a conflict. It is aimed at finding a solution to the conflict that would be acceptable for both sides, which are incapable of finding such a solution on their own. The existing theoretical frameworks of mediation analyse mainly its static aspects. Thus the author seeks to analyse its dynamic aspects and define the necessary conditions which may lead to a peaceful resolution of a conflict. As an example, the article presents a case study based on the civil war in Liberia, which lasted more than six years. It took several rounds of mediation and thirteen signed peace accords until a peace resolution of the first civil war was finally achieved. Through his qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of these peace accords, the author concludes with a general assessment of mediation for peace resolutions of African conflicts.
Článek se zabývá fenoménem tzv. nového regionalismu jako jednoho z významných procesů v současné ... more Článek se zabývá fenoménem tzv. nového regionalismu jako jednoho z významných procesů v současné světové ekonomice. Pojem nový regionalismus označuje novou fázi regionalismu od poloviny 80. let, která je charakteristická jak kvantitativními, tak především kvalitativními změnami regionalismu, k nimž došlo v důsledku politické a ekonomické transformace světa. Vedle komparativního srovnání starého a nového regionalismu se článek věnuje otázce terminologie spojené s regionalismem, vztahem mezi regionalismem a multilaterálními jednáními na půdě WTO a v neposlední řadě teoretickou reflexí procesu nového regionalismu a pěti základními skupinami teorií nového regionalismu.
Článek se zabývá problematikou ekonomické integrace v subsaharské Africe. Nejprve podává historic... more Článek se zabývá problematikou ekonomické integrace v subsaharské Africe. Nejprve podává historický exkurz do jejího vývoje po druhé světové válce a následně se zaměřuje na hlavní problematické okruhy, které způsobují pomalý postup integrace oproti jiným světovým regionům. Za hlavní problémové body jsou pokládány existence přílišného množství různých regionálních uskupení s překrývajícím se členstvím a podobnými cíli, slabá oddanost politických elit integračním projektům, důraz na mezivládní spolupráci a slabé nadnárodní instituce, přílišná konkurenčnost afrických ekonomik, stav makroekonomických politik a infrastruktury, velký podíl neoficiálního obchodu, přetrvávající netarifní bariéry a politická nestabilita. V poslední části se pak studie zabývá možným dalším vývojem africké integrace, mimo jiné i v souvislosti s aktuálními obchodními jednáními mezi EU a africkými státy.
Modern post-colonial relations between independent states in Asia and Africa date back to the lat... more Modern post-colonial relations between independent states in Asia and Africa date back to the late 1940s. This article focuses on China, India, Japan, and Korea, whose relations with Africa during the Cold War went through several phases according to domestic political and economic conditions, the international environment, and political and economic conditions in Africa. The post-Cold War situation created a unique historical momentum to redefine relations with the continent. A11 four countries could build upon their positive image in Africa and aspire to become new leaders in Africa's foreign relations. China had stroňg economic and political domestic reasons to turn to Africa, formulated a relativelY cohesive strategy towards the continent, had enough resources to support this strategy, and found a positive response in African countries. Contrarily, Japan lacked financial íesources anďsuffered from being perceived as pafi of the West, India failed to formulate a coherent strategy towards Africa and lacked financial resources, and Korea did not have strong interests on the continent, This explains the success of China in Africa; however, in thďlast decade India, Japan and Korea have starled more pro-active policies in Africa. By recognizing the limits of China's engagement in Africa, they can define their own comparative advantages and exploit new opportunities.
Journal of Nationalism, Memory & Language Politics, 2018
Economic cooperation between the US and Kenya has reflected the ups and downs in the relations be... more Economic cooperation between the US and Kenya has reflected the ups and downs in the relations between the two countries. Since independence, both countries have converged on security issues and diverged on questions of democracy and human rights. When Barack Obama was elected as the President of the US, Kenya expected to get an "Obama bonus" in the form of closer trade and investment cooperation. This article analyzes what is the image of US-Kenya economic relations in the news discourse. The analysis reveals that three different and competing narratives are present in the news discourse in Kenya. The US disseminates a narrative that economy, security, good governance and human resources are four interconnected and mutually reinforcing pillars of African development; Kenya must make progress in all these four pillars, and the US is ready to help Kenya. Kenyan leaders seem to internalize the economic part of the narrative and accept the nexus between economy and security, but they reject the nexus between economy and political issues. Finally, the Kenyan society internalizes both these narratives, albeit to a different degree, with the latter prevailing over the former. However, it also produces its own narrative, which presents current US-Kenya economic relations in a different perspective.
Modern Africa: Politics, history and society, 2016
Although virtually all states in the world adhere to market economy, they have different visions ... more Although virtually all states in the world adhere to market economy, they have different visions about how the market economy should work properly. We may identify three main ideal-typical models of market state, welfare state, and developmental state, which are in practice realised by the US, the EU, and Pacific Asia. These ideas about global economy serve as strategic narratives, which are formed within the respective regions, projected into other regions, and received in these other regions. The reception of narratives, particularly by ordinary people, has attracted scholarly attention only very recently and still remains under-studied. This article focuses on the reception of the Chinese narrative towards Africa, which stresses a win-win cooperation based on the "business as usual" approach, with no political interference and no strings attached. Kenya was chosen as a representative case, the discourse analysis of media news discourse as a method, and the leading newspaper The Daily Nation as the source of data. The analysis reveals that the newspaper reproduces this Chinese narrative, while simultaneously challenging it. At least two main constituent parts of this narrative are openly contested on the pages of The Daily Nation: that the Chinese aid to Africa is without conditions and that the Chinese engagement in Africa is selfless and mutually beneficial. Thus, the present article confirms that while Kenyan leadership seems to be charmed by the Chinese narrative, this is not accepted unreservedly within Kenyan society.
The author analyses the very complex relationship between bilateralism, regionalism, and multilat... more The author analyses the very complex relationship between bilateralism, regionalism, and multilateralism in the global trade liberalization agenda. The United States, one of the biggest promoters of trade liberalization through multilateral negotiations, shifted its focus to bilateralism and regionalism in mid-80’s. This shift reflected changes in global economy, end of the US economic dominance, and stagnation of the multilateral negotiations. Major economic powers, including regional semi-powers, started to compete for trade preferences. Today, global economy is filled with a dense network of regional and bilateral agreements, which offer signatories to proceed in trade liberalization beyond the WTO agenda. Although sub-Saharan Africa is the most marginalized region, it is also part of this network. Trade relations between the US and Africa developed in last 15 years under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), unilateral trade preference regime allowing African states duty-free access to the US market. However, as the case study of East African Community member states reveals, the benefit is very limited and very likely will not lead to any substantial changes in trade patterns in Africa.
The present study deals with mediation as a possible tool for peaceful conflict resolution. Media... more The present study deals with mediation as a possible tool for peaceful conflict resolution. Mediation is a non-violent intervention of a third party in a conflict. It is aimed at finding a solution to the conflict that would be acceptable for both sides, which are incapable of finding such a solution on their own. The existing theoretical frameworks of mediation analyse mainly its static aspects. Thus the author seeks to analyse its dynamic aspects and define the necessary conditions which may lead to a peaceful resolution of a conflict. As an example, the article presents a case study based on the civil war in Liberia, which lasted more than six years. It took several rounds of mediation and thirteen signed peace accords until a peace resolution of the first civil war was finally achieved. Through his qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of these peace accords, the author concludes with a general assessment of mediation for peace resolutions of African conflicts.
Článek se zabývá fenoménem tzv. nového regionalismu jako jednoho z významných procesů v současné ... more Článek se zabývá fenoménem tzv. nového regionalismu jako jednoho z významných procesů v současné světové ekonomice. Pojem nový regionalismus označuje novou fázi regionalismu od poloviny 80. let, která je charakteristická jak kvantitativními, tak především kvalitativními změnami regionalismu, k nimž došlo v důsledku politické a ekonomické transformace světa. Vedle komparativního srovnání starého a nového regionalismu se článek věnuje otázce terminologie spojené s regionalismem, vztahem mezi regionalismem a multilaterálními jednáními na půdě WTO a v neposlední řadě teoretickou reflexí procesu nového regionalismu a pěti základními skupinami teorií nového regionalismu.
Článek se zabývá problematikou ekonomické integrace v subsaharské Africe. Nejprve podává historic... more Článek se zabývá problematikou ekonomické integrace v subsaharské Africe. Nejprve podává historický exkurz do jejího vývoje po druhé světové válce a následně se zaměřuje na hlavní problematické okruhy, které způsobují pomalý postup integrace oproti jiným světovým regionům. Za hlavní problémové body jsou pokládány existence přílišného množství různých regionálních uskupení s překrývajícím se členstvím a podobnými cíli, slabá oddanost politických elit integračním projektům, důraz na mezivládní spolupráci a slabé nadnárodní instituce, přílišná konkurenčnost afrických ekonomik, stav makroekonomických politik a infrastruktury, velký podíl neoficiálního obchodu, přetrvávající netarifní bariéry a politická nestabilita. V poslední části se pak studie zabývá možným dalším vývojem africké integrace, mimo jiné i v souvislosti s aktuálními obchodními jednáními mezi EU a africkými státy.
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Papers by Vilem Rehak
network of regional and bilateral agreements, which offer signatories to proceed in trade liberalization beyond the WTO agenda. Although sub-Saharan Africa is the most marginalized region, it is also part of this network. Trade relations between the US and Africa developed in last 15 years under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), unilateral trade preference regime allowing African states duty-free access to the US market. However, as the case study of East African Community member states reveals, the benefit is very limited and very likely will not lead to any substantial changes in trade patterns in Africa.
network of regional and bilateral agreements, which offer signatories to proceed in trade liberalization beyond the WTO agenda. Although sub-Saharan Africa is the most marginalized region, it is also part of this network. Trade relations between the US and Africa developed in last 15 years under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), unilateral trade preference regime allowing African states duty-free access to the US market. However, as the case study of East African Community member states reveals, the benefit is very limited and very likely will not lead to any substantial changes in trade patterns in Africa.