Date of Award
Spring 5-2-2025
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Political Science and International Affairs
Department Chair or Program Director
Rosalyn Cooperman
First Advisor
Melissa Martinez
Second Advisor
Guanyi Leu
Major or Concentration
International Affairs
Abstract
Between 2001 and 2018, China’s outward foreign direct investment increased by 66.3 times, with a particular focus on resource-rich countries in Africa. While the economic impact of these investments has been widely studied, their potential impacts on democratic freedoms have been neglected. This thesis investigates how Chinese foreign direct investment affects African countries’ free speech, free press, and internet freedom. Based on case studies of Zambia, Kenya, and Ghana, this thesis finds a causal relationship between increased foreign direct investment from China and decreased freedom of expression and internet freedom in host countries. This relationship is moderated by the proportion of the host country’s total foreign direct investment from China and the initial strength of the host country’s democratic system. These findings offer new insight into the political impacts of Chinese foreign direct investment and reveal compelling avenues for further research.
Recommended Citation
Oswalt, Christina A., "Investments or Restrictions? China’s Influence on Freedom of Expression in African Countries" (2025). Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects. 620.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/620
Rights
Included in
African Studies Commons, Asian Studies Commons, Defense and Security Studies Commons, Economic Policy Commons, Global Studies Commons, International Relations Commons