Healing the Scar: idealizing Britain in Africa, 1997–2007

Abstract

This article examines the British government's commitment to Africa during Tony Blair's time as Prime Minister. Drawing on interviews with politicians from across the political spectrum and with officials involved in Africa policy, it shows how British work and relationships in Africa are described in thin and highly idealized ways, depicting a project seemingly able to transcend ordinary politics. The article suggests that this idealization of Africa has been valued by state actors for the ways in which it appeared to connect them to a ‘good’ and ‘noble’ cause, and in particular the way it enhanced their perceptions of the capacity and potency of the British state.