Epistemology in the Study of China-Africa Relations

45 Pages Posted: 27 Dec 2017

See all articles by Kevin Chandra

Kevin Chandra

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST)

Date Written: December 18, 2017

Abstract

This article is intended to provide a constructivist epistemological analysis in the academic studies of China-Africa relations by analyzing background factors of the scholars involved. I analyzed over 55 academic papers authored by up to 84 scholars, including their background profiles, administering a 16-question binary test that inquires specifically four aspects as follows: 1) identity, 2) educational backgrounds, 3) teaching experiences, and; 4) non-teaching career-related experiences. After conducting the analysis, I found out that there are three different schools of thought within the academic stream, namely: 1) positive, 2) negative, and; 3) inconclusive. Here, I found that there is a substantial degree of correlation between the scholars’ backgrounds and their conceptions about China-Africa relations. This article is intended as a preliminary study for further constructivist epistemological analysis in the near future.

Keywords: Constructivism, epistemology, China-Africa relations

JEL Classification: Y90

Suggested Citation

Chandra, Kevin, Epistemology in the Study of China-Africa Relations (December 18, 2017). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3089801 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3089801

Kevin Chandra (Contact Author)

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) ( email )

Clear Water Bay, Kowloon
Hong Kong

HOME PAGE: http://www.sosc.ust.hk/cgi-bin/people/people_index.php?action=view&type=M&profile_id=458

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