The Foreign Policy and Intervention Behavior of Africa's Middle Powers: An Analytic Eclecticism Approach

Olumuyiwa Babatunde Amao's book explores Nigeria and South Africas foreign policy and intervention behavior in Africa, focusing on the conflict episodes in Sierra Leone and the DRC. It assesses the relative merits of structural realism and social constructivism in explaining their motives and behavior and demonstrates the overlapping nexus between conflict intervention, structural constraints, relative power pursuit, and regional complexes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Olumuyiwa Babatunde Amao delves into the intricate dynamics of Nigeria and South Africa's foreign policy and intervention behavior in Africa, employing a meta-theoretical approach and drawing insights from analytic eclecticism as a comparative tool. With a particular emphasis on the conflict episodes in Sierra Leone (1991-1998) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (1997-2005), Amao offers a comprehensive assessment of these nations' actions.

In his book, The Foreign Policy and Intervention Behavior of Africa's Middle Powers: An Analytic Eclecticism Approach, Amao explores the relative merits of structural realism and social constructivism in explaining Nigeria and South Africa's motives and intervention behavior. He argues that a single theoretical perspective cannot adequately capture the complexity of these nations' intervention decisions and actions. The book demonstrates the interconnectedness between conflict intervention, structural constraints, relative power pursuit, and the dynamics of regional complexes.

Amao highlights the crucial role played by Nigeria and South Africa's relative power positions, their identities as African actors, their experiences of de-colonization and anti-apartheid struggles, and the shared values and bonds among their contiguous states in shaping their intervention behavior. Through the use of case studies, particularly Sierra Leone and the DRC, Amao illustrates the advantages of applying a multi-perspective eclectic approach to foreign policy analysis, offering an alternative to the often-contentious theoretical turf wars prevalent in the discipline of international relations.

This insightful book provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of factors that influence Nigeria and South Africa's foreign policy decisions and interventions in Africa. It sheds light on the nuanced strategies employed by these nations, the challenges they face, and the potential for positive change in the region. By employing a rigorous analytical framework and drawing on a range of theoretical perspectives, Amao contributes to our understanding of the complex dynamics of international relations in Africa.

Weight: 534g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666939927