Geopolitics and Governance in North Africa: Local Challenges, Global Implications

The changing geopolitical environment in North Africa is having a significant impact on governance issues, with countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Mauritania facing a range of challenges. This volume examines the region's position within global contexts, including the West, Africa, and the Middle East, and offers in-depth country case studies as well as cross-cutting thematic chapters. The book combines an academic and policy approach to speak to a variety of audiences and highlights the importance of understanding North Africa's role in shaping regional trends.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The changing geopolitical environment has a significant impact on a range of governance issues in North Africa. This region, which was once on the periphery of Middle East dynamics, has increasingly come to shape regional trends. In addition to internal political and economic transformations that were accelerated by the protests of 2011 and that have upended or reshaped the lives of millions of the region's inhabitants, North Africa is also contending with a range of external challenges. These include the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic transformation, changing market dynamics, including energy markets, the growing presence of new regional actors like Russia and China, and the changing role of traditional allies such as the European Union, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the United States. These dynamics are compounded by other natural and man-made climate changes and demographic changes that worsen them.

This volume aims to examine the impact of the changing geopolitical environment on a range of governance issues in North Africa. It discusses cases from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Mauritania, using field work carried out throughout the region. The book situates the North Africa region within several global contexts, such as the West, Africa, and the Middle East. It offers both in-depth country case studies as well as cross-cutting thematic chapters, including a focus on gender issues.

Tackles major global challenges, including climate change, socioeconomic inequality, and global power competition (Russia and China). The book combines an academic and policy approach to the region to speak to a variety of audiences.

North Africa was once on the geopolitical periphery of Middle East dynamics, but it has increasingly come to shape regional trends. In addition to internal political and economic transformations that were accelerated by the protests of 2011 and that have upended or reshaped the lives of millions of the region's inhabitants, the region is also contending with a range of external challenges. These include the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic transformation, changing market dynamics, including energy markets, the growing presence of new regional actors like Russia and China, and the changing role of traditional allies such as the European Union, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the United States. These dynamics are compounded by other natural and man-made climate changes and demographic changes that worsen them.

This volume shows why North Africa, sometimes considered a backwater within a broader Middle East context, actually is the leading edge of change for the region and deserving of far more attention from the international community. North African countries are facing a dizzying array of challenges. These include political instability, economic inequality, social unrest, and environmental degradation. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these challenges, with the region's economies struggling to recover and millions of people facing job losses and food insecurity.

In addition to these internal challenges, North Africa is also contending with external factors that are shaping its geopolitical landscape. These include the growing influence of China and Russia in the region, as well as the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Libya. The region's proximity to Europe and the United States also means that it is heavily influenced by global economic and political trends.

To address these challenges, North African countries need to adopt a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. This includes promoting political stability, economic development, and social inclusion. It also requires addressing the region's environmental challenges, such as climate change and desertification.

In conclusion, the changing geopolitical environment has a significant impact on a range of governance issues in North Africa. This region is facing a range of internal and external challenges, including political instability, economic inequality, social unrest, and environmental degradation. To address these challenges, North African countries need to adopt a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach that promotes political stability, economic development, and social inclusion, while also addressing the region's environmental challenges.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399503693