Catching up with the Restless West: A discourse analysis of the Eurocentric biases in the Marshall Plan with Africa

Abstract: Following a time period where a large number of refugees and immigrants had been received by Germany, the German minister of development proposed a new framework for Africa policy in the beginning of 2017 targeting the root causes of poverty and large migration flows. Titled Marshall Plan with Africa, the project aims to establish a new partnership between the continents, highlighting private investment, ratification of international trade agreements and 20 million new job- and vocational training opportunities for young people among other solutions. Yet, it is claimed to promote African solutions for African problems. This research looks at the Eurocentric discourse in the official policy document, guided by the research question 'does the Marshall Plan with Africa contain Eurocentric features?'. It uses a customised framework for analysis building upon established methods of policy analysis, tying in theories of poststructuralism, eurocentrism and political myths. The study finds that although the policy document has a clear bias of Eurocentric institutionalism and Western values, it also contains components reflecting a more inclusive approach to development and agency.