Sarah Raine Books

China’s relations with African nations have changed dramatically over the past decade. African oil now accounts for more than 30% of China’s oil imports, and China is Africa’s second-largest single-country trading partner, as well as a leading lender and infrastructure investor on the continent. Yet these developments are bringing challenges, not only for Africa and the West, but for China as well. This book examines these challenges, considering Africa as a testing ground, both for Chinese companies ‘going global’ and for a Chinese government that is increasingly having to deal with issues beyond its shores and immediate control. What does China need to do to protect and develop its African engagements, against a backdrop of mounting African expectations, concerns from Western actors in Africa, and the rival presence of other emerging actors? How sustainable is the momentum that China has established in its African ventures? China’s adaptations to the challenges it is facing in Africa are examined and assessed, as are the implications of these changes for China, Africa and the West. China’s African engagements are certainly changing Africa, but could they also be changing China?

Focusing on the complex geopolitical landscape, this Adelphi explores the various strategies used to navigate the competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. It delves into the political, legal, and military dimensions of these disputes, providing insights into the motivations and actions of the involved nations. Through this analysis, the book sheds light on the broader implications for regional stability and international relations.

Focusing on the northern soul scene, this book explores how younger participants navigate their sense of belonging amid established notions of authenticity rooted in the 1970s. Through a three-year ethnographic study, it highlights the discursive practices employed by young men and women to connect with the scene's history. These practices reflect both individual and collective negotiations of identity within a multigenerational context, revealing the complexities of claiming a place in a musical heritage they did not directly experience.

This Adelphi book addresses the consequences of Europe's multiple crises for its standing as a strategic actor, acknowledging its unique character and capabilities.