Globalization and the interest of National self-sufficiency : A focus on the African continent

This thesis aims to shed light on the current threats causing the underdevelopment of the African continent and its actual position within the process of globalization. The objective is here to discuss sustainable approaches for Africa to become more integrated to the global economy and what interests would the African continent find in adopting policies enhancing self-sufficiency. The theory of National self-sufficiency has been enlightened by the economic J. M. Keynes as the potential key that would lead to global peace. Therefore, the research conducted is carried around three distinct core concepts according to this statement: National self-sufficiency, globalization and economy in Africa. Through a descriptive analysis of each term and relevant data gathered, the thesis provides a general outline on the potential of African countries and the interest of their potential self-sufficiency from a Keynesian perspective. The situation of each African country is not reviewed in depth but can be investigated for further research. Even though various researches have already expressed the relationship between globalization and the Keynesian theory of national self-sufficiency, little can be found about the African continent on the matter. It is then relevant to wonder if national self-sufficiency can be considered as a solution to the different crisis currently threatening the African continent. The different elements that have been used to provide the data analyzed in this thesis come from various sources including Non Governmental Organizations, academic writings and documents provided by economists and experts. Therefore, all of the materials used within this thesis come from secondary data. The analysis was carried out in a descriptive study. The results of the research conducted prove the limitless potential of the African continent due to important amount of resources and great manpower. However, that great potential is altered by corruption and embezzlement, which marginalizes the African continent from the globalization process. Keynes aims to understand the current economic and political situation of the time he has been living in. It is therefore relevant to wonder whether his theory can be extended until these days where globalization is multidimensional