Balancing Sovereignty and Development in International Affairs: Cameroon's Post-Independence Relations with France, Africa, and the World

(Hardback)

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Balancing Sovereignty and Development in International Affairs is about Cameroon, a minor power in world affairs, and her foreign policy and international relations, especially as she deals with major powers, in this case, France. It emphasizes Cameroons economic and political relations with France, her relations with Francophone Africa, Anglophone Nigeria during the Nigerian Civil War of 19671970, the hot button issues of African liberation, and the development challenges that she faced. The study probes the nature, scope, depth, dynamics, and drivers of Cameroons foreign policy to understand its logic, and to uncover the consequences to the country's development and sovereignty. It also investigates and sheds light on some conventional views about Cameroons relations with Francethe view that Cameroon is a French puppet. The above questions are investigated within the theoretical framework of dominant-dependent- compliant behavior in world politics. Put differently, as a minor partner in her relations with France, was Cameroon being unduly exploited to Frances benefits or not If not, what were Cameroons benefits in the relationship And if so, what were the benefits to France The case study method, supplemented by rich statistical time series analysis, source-tracing and interviews were used to uncover patterns and common themes in Cameroons foreign policy behavior and to systematically document her economic dependence on France and assess if such dependence also generated political consequences for Cameroon in its behavior towards France. Part One of the book discusses the historical origin of the modern Cameroonian state, the domestic context of its foreign policy, post-independence politics, and challenges associated with nation-building, national independence, domestic security, and economic development, that underlay the countrys world view and guided her international behavior. This part also analyzes Cameroon's economic relations with France focusing on trade, investments, and aid, revealing that France dominated the Cameroonian economy in all three sectors, explaining what accounted for such dominance, and what Cameroon tried to do to alleviate the situation. Part two focuses on case studies of critical foreign policy challenges that Cameroon faced, and how she reacted to French interests and pressure.

Reviews

Skillfully weaving the history of bilateral commercial, economic, and diplomatic interactions between Cameroon and France, Tesi highlights the inherent tensions between the question for sovereignty and the imperative for development. The book contributes to the understudied and undertheorized relationship between a "minor state" and a dominant state using a transactional framework. -- Karen A. Mingst, University of Kentucky
Moses Tesi offers a rigorous, original and superb analysis of post-colonial France-Cameroon relations that embodies many typical political-economic and cultural interactions between a former colonial power (France) and its former colony (Cameroon). The issues that comprise the substance of their bilateral interactions are clearly presented as the product of their evolving mutual interests immediately following Cameroons independence. The analysis contributes academically original and mature insight within a framework of dynamism in their relationship and not the often static analysis of core-periphery, north-south, or developed-developing country approaches. This is a timely and thorough analysis that develops a more reliable way of assessing political, economic, and policy relationships between great powers and small powers. It could serve as a model for the examination of other cases of north-south interactions. It is an excellent addition to all France-Africa resource collection. Even a cursory examination of the book will reveal its dynamic analytical structure, as well as the personal acquaintance of the writer with the subject matter. -- Earl Conteh-Morgan, Professor of International Studies, University of South Florida
Professor Tesi has written an important book. It is much more than a narrative on the creation and execution of Cameroons foreign policy. In addition to placing events within their proper historical context, the book delves into the nations many flashpoints such as identity politics, Francophone, Anglophone, rural-urban conflict, and corruption. The book is a timely and significant addition to Cameroonian and African studies. -- Julius Amin, University of Dayton

Author Bio

Moses K. Tesi is professor of political science and international relations at Middle Tennessee State University.