Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the impact China's accession to the WTO and growing economic ascendancy in the multilateral trading system is going to have on the developing world. The central problem addressed is whether China's accession and growing stature is going to be a competitive threat to the developing world or will China emerge as a collaborator to the developing world and assist in redressing the inequalities of the system. Three themes emerge and are dealt with in this study. The first addresses China as a developing nation itself and its overall position in relation to the rest of the developing world. Then China's growing economic progress and its internal developments are looked at. Finally China is evaluated as collaborator or competitor to the developing world. A descriptive and analytical approach is employed in this study. The complexity and the interplay between the multiple levels of analysis emerge in this study. In order to best address the role China is to play, China has to be set in the greater multilateral context, the regional context and then evaluated in conjunction with the internal dynamics which are unfolding. These perspectives together are of the utmost importance in determining the future role China is to play in relation to the developing world. Whether it will emerge as a collaborator or a competitor to the already marginalised developing sector of the trading system. The regional level of analysis is playing an increasingly important role in the current system as the regional units are proving more effective trading units than sole national units. Thus this study pays particular attention to the region in a case study focusing on South East Asia in relation to China. The multilateral level of analysis addressing China's role in relation to the developing world and the answer to the question of whether China is going to be collaborator or competitor to the developing world is of particular importance in the current global context. The developing world is increasingly calling for the inequalities prevalent in the system to be addressed and China's position in the current context and in relation to this current issue will play an important role. Despite the optimism surrounding China and its possible future the internal dynamics and context cannot be underestimated or neglected. The unfolding domestic developments that take place at the hands of the current leadership will playa deciding role in China's future. As China is in a transition and attempting a mix between a market-based economic system encapsulated in a socialist system it is a precarious situation that needs the careful attention of the leadership to best manage China's internal and external developments. The inclusion thus of China's internal dynamics, therefore cannot be neglected and have been included in this study. Current trends regarding China emerge and it is possible to make assumptions on the basis of these trends as to what China's future role entails. This then is looked at as to the impact these trends are going to have on the various contexts that China finds itself in and most importantly the impact that it is likely to have on the developing world. The possibilities of different impacts being played out in different time frames emerge as the most likely to manifest themselves. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die impak wat China se aansluiting by die WHO, en sy groeiende ekonomiese mag in die multilaterale handelsisteem, op die ontwikkelende wêreld het. Die sentrale vraag wat hier aangespreek word, is of China se aansluiting by die WHO 'n bedreiging inhou vir ontwikkelende ekonomieë en of dié land, alternatiewelik, sy posisie kan gebruik om laasgenoemde ekonomieë by te staan in hul stryd teen die ongelykhede van die huidige sisteem. Drie hooftemas is hier ter sprake. Die eerste handeloor China se status as ontwikkelende land, en sy algemene posisie vis a vis ander ontwikkelende lande. Die tweede, fokus op China se ekonomiese en interne ontwikkelings, terwyl die derde tema meer lig werp op die vraag of China beskou moet word as bondgenoot of mededinger van die ontwikkelende wêreld. 'n Deskriptiewe en analitiese benadering is VIr die doeleindes van die studie aangewend. Die kompleksiteit en interaksie tussen verskillende vlakke van analise kom in die studie na vore. Om China se rol in konteks te plaas, is dit nodig om daarna te kyk vanuit 'n streeksperspektief en dit in verband te bring met interne ontwikkelinge binne dié land. Hierdie perspektiewe, tesame, is kardinaal vir 'n beter begrip van China se toekomstige rol met betrekking to ander ontwikkelende lande. 'n Streeksanalise raak toenemend belangrik in die lig van die feit dat regionale eenhede algaande meer effektief funksioneer as individuele nasionale state. In hierdie studie word daar verallig gewerp op Suid-oos Asië, waarvan China deel uitmaak. Op die multi-laterale vlak van analise is dit ook van belang om vas te stel hoe China saloptree teenoor ontwikkelende lande na sy toetredede tot die WHO. Die ontwikkelende wêreld pleit vir die regstel van strukturele ongelykhede, en China kan moontlik hier 'n deurslaggewende rol speel. Ten spyte van hoë verwagtinge aangaande China se toekomstige rol, kan die land se interne konteks en dinamika nie buite rekening gelaat word nie. Ontwikkelinge wat tans binne China plaasvind sal 'n defnitiewe impak op die land se toekoms hê. China se unieke mengsel van 'n markgerigte ekonomie, wat funksioneer binne 'n breër sosialistiese opset, sal deeglike beplanning rakende die landse binne en buitelandse sake van sy leiers verg. Om hierdie rede het die studie ook klem gelê op die interne politiek dinamiek van China. Spesifieke tendense rakende China is besig om te ontwikkel, en dit raak algaande makliker om sekere afleidings aangaande die land se toekomstige rol binne die internasionale konteks te maak. Hierdie tendense is veral van belang wanneer daar gekyk word na China se toekomstige verhoudinge met die ontwikkelende wêreld. Dit wil dus voorkom asof uiteenlopende resultate hulself gedurende verskillende tydsgrepe sal manifesteer.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As the world globalises there is need for economic integration. These integration processes can be both regional and global Africa as one of the world's continents is not immune to these integrations; regions within the continent have formed trade blocs which enhance economic development for individual member states of such blocs. Even though these countries are not equal in terms of economic development the ultimate goal is to have sustainable economic development and be able to compete in the global world. Botswana is one country with such aspirations and dreams. This paper addresses the role of Botswana in the global economy; highlighting its opportunities and challenges. Botswana has been a success story in Africa, with its GOP per capita increasing from less than US$2 000 in 1975 to around USSIO 000 in 2005, recording economic growth rates of over seven per cent. The country's economy has been heavily reliant on mining. tourism. manufacturing and agriculture. Diamonds are by far the most important source of income for Botswana, accounting for more than 70 per cent of total export earnings. The satisfactory performance of the financial sector impacts on overall development and the diversification of the economy. In its efforts to integrate and strengthen bilateral relations with bigger market economies, Botswana is a signatory to a number of trade agreements such as World Trade Organisation (WTO), Cotonou, Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Southern African Customs Union (SA CU). As a member of the WTO, the inclusion of China into the organisation implies that Chinese products are now highly competitive when compared to Botswana products due to lower production costs enjoyed by Chinese finns. Chinese finns also enjoy competitive advantage in US markets where Botswana exports some of its textile products under AGOA. However, the country has enjoyed productive relationships with the European countries since its colonial period and through the Cotonou agreement, which was signed between the European Community and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Botswana is also a signatory to regional blocs such as the SADC through which it has agreed on a number of economic issues such as trade, gender, water resources, peace and security, democracy and good governance. Through the SADe, member states such as Botswana are able to lobby for support or form partnerships with developed nations such as Sweden. By being a member of SACU, Botswana can export to a large market and complement its smaller domestic market. As players in the global economy, countries are exposed to many challenges and opportunities. There are opportunities for attracting more investment into the country due to its excellent economic performance. Investment can be attracted in financial and manufacturing sectors through encouraging private-public partnerships. This paper discusses some of the growth sectors in the economy and how they can be enhanced to contribute to sustainable development. It is also worth mentioning that Botswana faces challenges such as HIV/AIDS and unemployment. By being landlocked, the country is relatively expensive for investors to manufacture locally and export to foreign countries, which dampens the attraction of foreign direct investment. Some of these challenges and opportunities experienced by Botswana can serve as lessons for other African countries. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Soos die globaliseringsproses wereIdwyd vorder is daar ook 'n proses van toenemende ekonomiese integrasie, wereldwyd en op 'n streeksbasis. Afrika neem ook deel aan die proses. In die verskillende streke van die kontinent is handelsblokke besig om te ontplooi. AI is hierdie lande nog ver agter in die internasionale mededingingsproses strewe hulle daarna om op 'n volhoubare manier internasionaal mee te ding. Botswana het beslis die mikpunt. Hierdie studie spreek Botswana se rol in die wyer streeks- en internasionale ekonomie aan. Die land word algemeen beskou as 'n ontwikkelingsukses, met 'n BBP per capita toename van US$2 000 in 1975 tot US$I0 000 in 2005, en 'n gemiddelde jaarlikse groeikoers van meer as sewe persent. Die landsekonomie is sterk afhanklik van die mynbousektor, landbou, toerisme en fabriekswese, met diamante tot 70 persent van uitvoere. As deel van die proses om nouer in te skakel by die groter markte het Botswana by 'n reeks ooreenkomste aangesluit, naamlik die Wereld Handelsorganisasie, die Cotonou-ooreenkoms, die SADC, AGOA en SACU. Terwyl die aansluiting by hierdie ooreenkomste Botswana se uitvoermarkte uitgebrei het, het Sjina se aansluiting by die WTO vir Botswana se nywerhede groter mededinging veroorsaak. Aan die ander kant het die lidmaatskap van Botswana by die SADC en Sacu vir die land baie geleenthede geopen om meer effektief te pleit en te onderhandel vir ekonomiese, sosiale en ander ontwikkelingsvoordele, veral waar Botswana se eie bevolking en markte so klein is. Om 'n beeld te kry van die uitwerking van die stappe van Botswana word in die studie ook gekyk na ontwikkelingstendense in spesifieke sektore asook na pogings om buitelandse kapitaal na die land te trek. Terselfdertyd moet besef word dat Botswana vanwee sy hoe HIV/Vigs koers tans en in die toekoms te kampe het met 'n reeks heel spesiale struikelblokke wat die ontwikkelingsproses beinvloed.

China's policy toward the Korean peninsula has shifted from a one-Korea policy to a de facto two-Korea policy. Beijing's constant policy is recognition of Pyongyang as the sole legitimate regime on the peninsula. What Beijing has changed is to acknowledge the existence of the Seoul regime and to inaugurate Sino-South Korean unofficial ties. The main thrust of this research is to examine China's relations with South Korea and North Korea during the period between 1984 and 1989 and to identify the national interests which made Beijing leaders shift their Korea policy. The hypothesis of this study is: China's economic priority is the determining factor and changes in the international environment in East Asia are a contributing factor which made China incrementally shift policy toward the Korean peninsula. The decision to adopt the policy of "revitalizing the economy internally and implementing the open door policy externally" in the Third Plenum of the Eleventh Chinese Communist Party Central Committee in 1978 resulted in revolutionary changes in Chinese foreign policy. These changes resulted from new foreign policy orientations, namely, pragmatism, the growing magnitude of economic elements, open door policy, and entente diplomacy. These new orientations were able to be applied to the Korean case when changes in the Northeast Asian international milieu provided chances in the early 1980s. These changes were the growing positive Sino-Soviet relations, the emergence of South Korea as an economic power, the improvement of Soviet-North Korean relations, and the failure of North Korean diplomacy. Through empirical studies of Chinese foreign behavior and official media, the hypothesis is proven valid. In the early 1980s, China evidently changed its Korean policy priority from strategic interests to political interests with a desire for a peaceful international environment. The growing unofficial Beijing-Seoul contacts show that China desires to pursue its economic interests in South Korea but under the premise of not jeopardizing its relations with North Korea. This line will not change until North Korea is willing to accept cross-recognition.

This study examined the effects and expectations of external economic dependence on foreign investment policy outputs with particular reference to the Nigerian experience between 1954 and 1980. Three basic kinds of external economic dependence were studied: foreign investment, the penetration of the Nigerian economy by foreign capital through the agency of the multinational corporations (MNCs); foreign trade, a measure of the Nigerian economy's participation in the world market; and foreign aid (loans and grants), a measure of Nigeria's reliance on financial assistance from governments and international financial inst itutions. For the most part, the level of Nigeria's economic dependence was very high. However, economic dependency is not translated into changes in foreign investment policy in favor of the foreign investors in Nigeria as is predicted by the dependency paradigm. The Nigerian case casts doubt on the dependency paradigm as a framework for fully explaining factors that may determine foreign direct investment policy changes that occur in a less developed Third World country. In other words, the dependency paradigm has a limited explanatory power; there is a factor independent of the economic factor operating out of the control of global capitalism (the center of the center in alliance with the center of the periphery); and that factor is the political process in Nigeria. The web of the Nigerian political process involves the various aspects of its internal functioning such as the manner in which needs, interests and demands are conveyed from the individuals and groups in the country to those performing state duties. Thus, Nigerian policy makers were more influenced by those elements than pure economic considerations treated in isolation.

M.Com. (Economic Management) / South Africa, as a developing country, has an enormous need for capital. Between 1980 to 1983, an amount of RBO billion was spent on fixed capital investment alone in this country. A large component of this investment originates from external sources and was financed by way of off-shore loans and other credit facilities. The developed countries, in order to promote their exports, have long realised that in addition to offering a competitive price and high quality product, competition also required that credit be made available to the importer. Presently the competition between the leading export countries result in the development of subsidised export credit schemes to promote the sale of industrial machinery and equipment. In cases where the fixed export finance rate is lower than market rates, Governments make up the difference between the export finance rate and commercial lending rates. Normally a fixed interest rate for the credit period is available in the exporter's currency. An important consideration when borrowing overseas, is the foreign currency exposure. With continuous fluctuations in the value of currencies the borrower is faced with a foreign exchange risk. This risk can be partially eliminated by hedging on the forward exchange market. In this study an analysis was made of the most important export credit schemes as well as the possible influence of forward exchange considerations. An importer has the option to also make use imported capital goods. Specific reference installment sale financing and financial leasing of local finance to pay for is made in this study to as methods of local financing. The purpose of this study was twofold: Firstly, an analysis of historic interest rate patterns pertaining to medium-term leasing and installment sale financing in South Africa and secondly a determination of the cost of export credit finance for the .same period was made. In this . way the study endeavored to determine whether, from the point of view of the cost of capital, it had been worthwhile to U8e export credit financing.

M.Com. (Economics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Comm. / This study will quantify the economic impact of the FTA negotiated between SA and the EU. Two simulations are undertaken. The first simulation focus on the bi-lateral elimination of import tariffs between SA and the EU on non-agricultural products (industrial products). The second simulation considers the bi-lateral elimination of import tariffs on non-agricultural and agricultural products between SA and the EU. The quantitative analysis can only handle a limited number of arguments of the FTA. Notably, financial assistance, development, and social and cultural co-operation are examples of issues that will not be dealt with in a quantitative manner in this study. The goal of this study is to undertake an empirical analysis of the free trade agreement (FTA) between South Africa (SA) and the European Union (EU) using an applied equilibrium model.

Thesis (Ph.D. (International Relations))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, 2016 / This thesis examines the efforts of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to promote regional integration between 1980 and 2015 in the areas of trade and security. The conceptual framework provides a focused review of general and specific literature on two key concepts of regional integration: divergence, and convergence. Throughout the thesis, the core focus is on the divergence and convergence of COMESA and SADC. The thesis articulates two analytical frameworks: the neoclassical economics approach, and the neoclassical realist approach. A historical account focuses on the history of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) of 1981 that evolved into COMESA by 1993. A history of Southern Africa’s Frontline States (FLS), which evolved into the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) in 1980, and later into SADC in 1992, is then provided. The thesis discusses apartheid South Africa’s involvement in the Eastern and Southern African regions. The thesis provides a discussion on the debate on the rationalisation processes of these two organisations: COMESA and SADC, between 1991 and 1997. The thesis next expands on the regionalisation processes of COMESA and SADC between 2008 and 2015. The main actors and factors assessed involve South Africa’s market-led regional approach, its regional developmental role and its economic impact on both regions since it joined SADC in 1994. The thesis expands on the two main regional integration approaches adopted by the COMESA–EAC (East African Community)–SADC Tripartite bloc (created in 2008) of variable geometry and trade liberalisation, as it moved towards its Tripartite Free Trade Area that was signed in June 2015. The thesis also provides definitions and assumptions of two new theories deployed to strengthen the research: i) neoclassical economic regional integration, and ii) neorealist security convergence, which are applied in the thesis. The thesis thus expands on how COMESA and SADC (as both institution and member states) manage multiple memberships. A central argument of the thesis is that multiple memberships have become a stumbling block for convergence. In furtherance of this argument, the thesis explains the benefits of regional integration schemes. Therefore assessed, is how developing countries are likely to be better served by “North–South” than by “South–South” free trade agreements. The analysis is expanded by a discussion of economic convergence in the neoclassical economic approach of open trade in regional trade agreements within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) – whose five members all belong to SADC - with the presence of a regional hegemonic state: South Africa. To further expand the concept of regionalism to encompass security cooperation, the thesis finally assesses COMESA and SADC’s managing of regional security since the 2008 Tripartite Agreement, by employing the concept of regional security complexes. / MT2017

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences. / Department of Government and Public Administration

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