Exploring Diaspora Ties to Homeland Neo-Colonialist Movements: The Case of Chinese Diaspora Influence During the "New Scramble for Africa"

Abstract

This study explores diaspora group ties to origin countries in ways that broadly empower them to act as state agents of their origin state. This is achieved by examining the case of the Chinese migration to Africa during the “New Scramble for Africa”. The research questions whether diaspora are significant participants of neocolonialist origin state strategy, thereby impacting the agency and opportunities of host country populations. Lastly, it examines how increased institutional capacity of host countries may bolster resiliency against these potential neo-colonialist effects. The study uses quantitative research to explore these questions and employs case studies of South Africa, Mauritius, and Nigeria. The study finds that the sizable and growing Chinese diaspora has had little evidential impact on local African agency across the continent during the New Scramble for Africa, and are thus not a part of the neo-colonialist dynamics of Chinese foreign policy. It also finds that improved strength of African institutions can reduce the potential impact of foreign non-state actors on individual agency.