Modeling the Impact of a Model: The (Non)Relationship between China's Economic Rise and African Democracy

Abstract

Many scholars have regarded China's emergence as an economic force as a threat to democracy in Africa, presenting China as the exporter of an authoritarian model through its rising economic influence. This article investigates how well founded the contended Chinese economic threat to Africa is by both analyzing the data at a very fundamental level and applying time-series, cross-sectional analysis to economic and political data. In particular, the relationship between Chinese economic interactions with African states and democracy is explored. The analysis considers different aspects of an economic interaction with China measured both as share of GDP and of country totals. I do not find a relationship between Chinese economic interaction with African states and democracy in these states. The article thus contributes much important groundwork concerning the existence of patterns in Chinese economic relations and democracy, as well as some specific links between these economic relations and political change.

Note from the Editors

“…将焦点从硬实力和物质世界转移到数字世界，Yung‐Yung Chang(2023)在《中国之外的中国——建立中国特色数字秩序?》一文中探究了中国在数字化世界中的话语权 (另见Zeng, Stevens, and Chen 2017)。这篇对中国“数字丝绸之路”的全面研究包含了不寻常的研究范围和详尽的分析。因此，该研究不仅会吸引对以下方面感兴趣的专业学者，包括中国模式 (例如，Hodzi and Åberg 2020; Babones 2020; Davidsson 2020; Duggan 2020)，中国海外形象的塑造 (另见Fong and Sakib 2021)，软实力的不同类型及实践，或中非关系/贸易和新兴市场 (另见Asongu 2016; Ganda 2020)。该研究还为那些对下列主题感兴趣的读者提供有用信息，这些主题包括: 数字威权主义 (另见Hellmeier 2016)、网络治理规范 (另见Glen 2021)、主权、监控技术的最新扩散、政府和社会资本合作、研发、以及中国对 “华盛顿共识” 造成的多方面挑战。…”

“…Este estudio exhaustivo sobre la "Ruta de la Seda Digital" de China es digno de mención tanto por su extraordinario alcance como por su análisis detallado. Por lo tanto, atraerá no solo a académicos especializados interesados en el modelo de China (ver, por ejemplo, Hodzi y Åberg 2020; Babones 2020; Davidsson 2020; Duggan 2020). También dará forma a la imagen de China en el extranjero (ver también Fong y Sakib 2021), así como las variantes y la práctica de poder blando, o relaciones/comercio chino‐africano y mercados emergentes (ver también Asongu 2016; Ganda 2020).…”

“…This comprehensive study on China's “Digital Silk Road” is noteworthy for both its extraordinary range and detailed analysis. It will thus appeal not merely to specialized scholars interested in the China model (see, e.g., Babones, 2020; Davidsson, 2020; Duggan, 2020; Hodzi & Åberg, 2020), shaping China's image abroad (see also Fong & Sakib, 2021), the variants and practice of soft power, or Sino‐African relations/trade and emerging markets (see also Asongu, 2016; Ganda, 2020) but it also proves an engaging and informative read for those interested in digital authoritarianism (see also Hellmeier, 2016), cyber‐governance norms (see also Glen, 2021), sovereignty, the latest proliferation of surveillance technologies, public–private partnerships, R&D, and China's multifaceted challenge to the Washington Consensus.…”