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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | South Africa, Indian Ocean and SADC |
Author: | Biswas, Aparajita |
Year: | 2003 |
Periodical: | African Currents |
Volume: | 22 |
Issue: | 35 |
Pages: | 8-33 |
Language: | English |
Geographic terms: | Southern Africa South Africa |
Subjects: | foreign policy Commission de l'Océan Indien regional economic relations SADC |
Abstract: | The historic changes that have taken place in South Africa in the 1990s call for a radical restructuring of South Africa's pattern of integration with Africa in general and the countries of the southern African region in particular. In view of South Africa's economic dominance the question arises as to whether South Africa will choose to cultivate relations with its immediate neighbours or with other regional groupings, such as Europe, or the Indian Ocean countries. South Africa's role within the SADC has been variously seen in terms of neo-mercantilism, hegemonistic bilateralism and full partnership. At the same time, as a middle power in the global arena, South African diplomacy has increasingly focused on international institutions, trying to bridge the gap between developed and developing countries. Foreign policy is increasingly aligned with a neoliberal doctrine. This shift to the right has created tensions between South Africa and other countries of the southern African region, which are also sceptical about South Africa's membership of the Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC). Ref. [ASC Leiden abstract] |