CMEA Relations with Africa: A Case of Disparity in Foreign Policy Instruments

Abstract

The paper describes Soviet and East European relations with African LDCs on the basis of the concept of disparity, i.e. of the asymmetrical relationships between economic and non-economic (military) foreign policy instruments of this group of states. This approach highlights the weak economic potential of CMEA countries in relation to LDCs, and more specifically the low degree of CMEA integration with the surrounding world economic system. CMEA countries tend to reform their economies in the market economy direction, the East-South sphere included, and otherwise they offer a much more technology-oriented cooperation than does the West. These trends notwithstanding, the economic Third World policy of the East does not seem to suit the LDCs themselves very well, especially not the poor, highly agricultural and hunger- stricken African countries. Meanwhile, CMEA itself seems to be retreating from the more general Third World engagement, emphasizing internal CMEA economic and development problems.