Approaching “Relationality” from Economics : A Conceptualisation, Application and Discussion

In this essay, we offer an economics-rooted conceptualisation of the term “relationality”. To achieve the fundamental purpose of economic analysis, we argue, it is useful to conceptualise “relationality” as a process of exploring links that explain outcomes. In alignment with the broad objective of economic research, our perspective on “relationality” sheds light on how it can aid in comprehending our world as is and how it came to be. We illustrate the power of our suggested conceptualisation of “relationality” via three specific empirical applications, including the analysis of regional economic integration in Africa. We also discuss the potential of our conceptualisation in “Reconfiguring African Studies”.