The Crisis of the Western Model of Globalization and the Socio-Political Development of Africa: Lessons from the Aggravation of International Relations

In the editorial article, the editor-in-chief of the journal, Yu.M. Pochta, presents the materials of the issue, interpreting their cross-cutting themes as issues of the development of the states of the African continent in the context of the crisis of the Western model of globalization. This crisis has become most evident in the context of the aggravation of international relations in connection with the Russian Special Military Operation in Ukraine. Russia’s conflict with the collective West is not only evidence of its aggressiveness. Western society itself is in crisis, involving all of humanity, including the societies of Africa, complicating the processes of socio-political development and liberation from neocolonialism for them. The articles presented in the issue cover a wide range of political science topics related to Africa, from the colonial legacy and postcolonial politics to modern development challenges, conflicts and foreign relations. Many works analyze the impact of historical colonialism on modern African states, including reparations for the slave trade through the African Union, the change of the neocolonial paradigms of France and the impact on the politics of West African countries, emphasizing the need to conceptualize social states and classify political regimes (one-party, multiparty and dominant). The articles also explore the evolution of sub-Saharan foreign policy orientations, the global consequences of local conflicts in the Horn of Africa, and the economic effects of COVID-19 on food security in West Africa. Country analyses focus on traditional institutions such as chieftainship in Ghana, resource risks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and party systems in Tunisia, Mozambique, and South Africa, including the role of Islamist movements and military coups in Burkina Faso. Finally, external aspects include Russian network diplomacy in Africa and the transformation of narratives about Russia among West African youth, as well as comparative studies of military movements in Egypt, illustrating the intersections of African and Middle Eastern politics. These themes highlight the dynamics between history, development, and global connections, offering a critical look at the sustainability of African political systems.