Soziologie

PD Dr Phill Wilcox has published a journal article entitled 'Balancing in Brazzaville: Urban Congolese Perspectives on Hedging Chinese and French Influences’ in Global Africa. The full article can be found open access here

Abstract:

In Congo, the influence of the former colonizer France, is challenged increasingly by China. This phenomenon, concerning how weaker states manage different international influences, has led to a valuable influx of literature on hedging. However, such literature does not yet recognize that hedging is not only relevant to international relations but also applicable to everyday practices. This paper investigates how urban aspiring Congolese participate in hedging as they create futures in which Chinese and French influences are prominent and may conflict. It contends that the Congolese population, particularly the middle class, engages with French and Chinese influences in ways that simultaneously demonstrate cooperation and reservation. The paper thus reframes the notion of hedging, illustrating how we can move beyond top-down stereotypes of China as a neo-colonizer, and French influence hanging on in places such as Congo. It sheds light on how hedging and pragmatism are central features of everyday encounters with China and France.

Reference:

Wilcox, P. (2026). Balancing in Brazzaville: Urban Congolese Perspectives on Hedging Chinese and French Influences. Global Africa, 14, pp. .