Obama’s Africa Policy: The Limits of Symbolic Power

• Published in: African studies review Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 165 - 178
• Main Author: Zeleza, Paul Tiyambe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.09.2013; African Studies Association
• Subjects: African Americans; ASR FORUM: THE 2012 U.S. ELECTION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR U.S.–AFRICA POLICY; Civil rights; Climate change; Diaspora; Foreign policy; Obama, Barack; Political parties; Politics; Recessions; Remittances; Social activism; Society; United States > US; 2012 presidential election

The election of Barack Obama as the first African-descended president of the United States in 2008 was greeted with euphoria in the U.S. and around the world, including Africa. Little, however, changed in the substance of U.S.–Africa relations. This underscores the limits of the symbolic politics of...