Structural Transformations of the Sudanese State under International and Regional Competition: A Critical Political Economy Approach from the Frankfurt School Perspective

Abstract

This study critically analyzes the structural transformations of the Sudanese state amid escalating international and regional competition, positioning Sudan as one of the geopolitically significant arenas in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, with the consequent overlap of political, economic, and security interests of international and regional powers. The study is based on the fundamental premise that this competition has not been limited to traditional forms of intervention but has extended to more complex mechanisms for reproducing hegemony and dependency—a dynamic that can be deconstructed and analyzed through the tools of the Frankfurt School of critical theory, which focuses on the dialectical relationship between power, economy, and culture. The study adopts a theoretical approach combining the Frankfurt School, dependency theory, and the international political economy framework, allowing for a deeper understanding of patterns of indirect control and their impact on the structure and core functions of the state. The research employs descriptive-analytical and critical methods to analyze official documents, international reports, political discourses, as well as a review of relevant Arabic and foreign literature. The findings show that international and regional competition has directly contributed to weakening the autonomy of Sudanese political decision-making, reshaping the national economy to serve external interests at the expense of sustainable development requirements, and deepening structural crises related to governance and political stability. The study also concludes that the absence of a cohesive national project and weak institutions have facilitated the penetration of the state by external actors. The study recommends adopting national strategies based on enhancing economic sovereignty, diversifying international partnerships, and building institutions capable of managing interaction with the international system more independently and effectively.