Sub-regional hegemons, integration and governance: South Africa’s role in Southern Africa after democratization
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Date
2020
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
The study aimed at understanding expert opinion on the linkage between hegemonic states and regional integration, the benefits of post-apartheid regional integration, South Africa’s socioeconomic and political efforts in the region and whether the country’s post-1994 foreign policy had been beneficial to regional integration. A panel of experts with immense expertise in regional foreign policy and integration were consulted. Structured interviews were used to collect data from this sample. The collected data were analysed through thematic content analysis. From the analysis, five major themes emerged. These were: Theme 1, Perceived link between regional powers and regional integration; Theme 2, Regional integration under post1994 leaders; Theme 3, South Africa’s foreign policy processes and tools within the region; Theme 4, Regional integration and foreign policy: successes, benefits and failures and Theme 5, Recommendations on the regional integration role. Under these themes, it was noted that regional leaders generally led regional integration although lesser powers also had an impact on its formation and perpetuation. It was also found that South Africa’s foreign policy has been highly dynamic with different presidents putting different emphases on regional integration and most energy towards the process having been put under President Mbeki’s tenure. South Africa’s main tool in regional integration was described as diplomacy-based soft power. South Africa had been of considerable economic and political stability benefit to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region although the country did not get much out of the region and was under constant criticism for its perceived hegemonic stance. The study recommended a focus on regionalism rather than hegemony, putting more emphasis on economic integration and taking into consideration of the wills of other countries within its regions of interest.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Commerce in the Department of Public Administration in the Faculty of Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law, University of Zululand, 2020
Keywords
Regional Integration, Hegemony, Foreign Policy