Developing country representatives often capture their demand for “voice” in the pithy saying that if one does not have a “seat at the table”, then one is very likely “on the menu”.
How about Africa establishing its presence at a more promising table - BRICS (consisting of 42% of the world’s population and 36% of its economy)! The block also consisting of South Africa, the Continents largest economy.
Very insightful as always. Hadn't thought about this level of mechanics but your essential nod to realpolitik is salient. I wouldn't say though that we haven't or are unwilling to do the backbreaking phase. It's that we have gotten so used to doing that for others that we are often stubbornly resistant to doing that work for ourselves, whilst understanding that the best incentives do line up with maintaining the status quo. That being said, how do we catalyze all the obvious potential to grow the economic pie, beyond the stilted bureaucratic channels and donor/concession driven initiatives?
Great article! I know the focus was on the financial costs of having a seat in these committees? But in your opinion, what would Africa holding a seat in the UNSC look like? I know the popular 2 seats with voting power reform is mentioned a lot, but won’t that cause problems due to inadequate representation of the entire continent?
I don't know - to be fair. We have been so obsessed with the seat even as its value has declined. The Council is gridlocked and seemingly incapable of doing anything. But we have been pursuing this seat for a while, it just seems like the quest is moving forward by inertia. On the question of problems - the seat would permanently be for Africa and the particular occupant would rotate.
Could you write something regarding the economic engines in the AU? For instance what wconomies are likely to be the most productive and energetic, and so likely to rise to the top of influence (like Germany and France in the EU? Or in a different way, Shanghai or Shenzhen in China?)
Hello W. Gyude Moore and all. Please see/share our research and help us improve it if you can. Thank you!
https://michaelatkinson.substack.com/
Sincerely,
Michael
🦖
How about Africa establishing its presence at a more promising table - BRICS (consisting of 42% of the world’s population and 36% of its economy)! The block also consisting of South Africa, the Continents largest economy.
Very insightful as always. Hadn't thought about this level of mechanics but your essential nod to realpolitik is salient. I wouldn't say though that we haven't or are unwilling to do the backbreaking phase. It's that we have gotten so used to doing that for others that we are often stubbornly resistant to doing that work for ourselves, whilst understanding that the best incentives do line up with maintaining the status quo. That being said, how do we catalyze all the obvious potential to grow the economic pie, beyond the stilted bureaucratic channels and donor/concession driven initiatives?
Great article! I know the focus was on the financial costs of having a seat in these committees? But in your opinion, what would Africa holding a seat in the UNSC look like? I know the popular 2 seats with voting power reform is mentioned a lot, but won’t that cause problems due to inadequate representation of the entire continent?
I don't know - to be fair. We have been so obsessed with the seat even as its value has declined. The Council is gridlocked and seemingly incapable of doing anything. But we have been pursuing this seat for a while, it just seems like the quest is moving forward by inertia. On the question of problems - the seat would permanently be for Africa and the particular occupant would rotate.
Could you write something regarding the economic engines in the AU? For instance what wconomies are likely to be the most productive and energetic, and so likely to rise to the top of influence (like Germany and France in the EU? Or in a different way, Shanghai or Shenzhen in China?)