Beyond Humanitarianism

September 15, 2007
Africa now produces as much oil for the United States as the Middle East, and its set to provide even more oil for significant countries like China. Those who continue to regard Africa as simply a continent with an extremely poor and AIDS-infected population will miss its larger importance as a global player in the coming years. As Washington begins to take notice of Africas rising importance on the world stage, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), an independent national think tank, posits that a more nuanced understanding of the regions politics can help us see what is at stake for both Americas and Africas future. Recent work by the councils task force, summarized here by Lyman (adjunct senior fellow for Africa policy studies, CFR) and Dorff (director, CFR publishing), defines different issues in the region and recommends U.S. policies that would spur economic growth and encourage democracy. This is a good introduction to the serious issues currently facing Africa, including the growing ranks of unemployed youth, violence against Muslims, Robert Mugabes politics in Zimbabwe, and Chinas interests and involvement in Darfur. Suitable for academic and large public libraries.April Younglove, Linfield Coll. Lib., Portland, OR

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.