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South Africa's post-apartheid foreign policy decision-making on African crisesVan Nieuwkerk, Anthoni 05 February 2014 (has links)
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, 2006. / This study examines foreign policy decision-making processes of the South African
government relating to African crises in the period 1994 to 2002. It takes as its point of
departure the question of who makes foreign policy, how, and to what effect.
The theory relating to foreign policy and public policy gives rise to a variety of models to
explain policy formation and in particular decision making in government. From the
survey, three models developed by Graham Allison – the rational actor, organisational
behaviour, and governmental politics models – are selected to analyse and better
understand South African foreign policy decision-making.
Foreign policy decision making relating to crises in Nigeria (1995), Lesotho (1998) and
Zimbabwe (2000-2002) are examined. The question in each case is which model best
helps to enlighten our understanding of the South African foreign policy response to the
perceived crisis.
Case study materials were gathered by means of primary and secondary literature as well
as open, semi-structured interviews with key individuals involved in relevant policy
formation processes. Prior to the analysis of decision making the study constructs a view
of the institutional settings of post-apartheid foreign policy making, in particular
identifying actors and process, and provides a short contextualisation of the crises in
Nigeria, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The study concludes that public policy making ought to be seen as a political problem
solving activity in the face of complexity rather than a logical process involving wellinformed
calculations by rational actors who seek to maximise economic utility, political
power, or organisational effectives. It supports the view that reliance on the dominant
rational actor model is inadequate to explain a foreign policy decision or event. Although
of limited use it nevertheless acts to clarify issues, such as broad objectives (actions to
achieve peace and stability in Africa as well as the promotion of national interests). Little
x
evidence emerges to suggest that foreign policy decisions can be understood as outputs of
large organisations functioning according to regular patterns of behaviour (such as the
Presidency or department of foreign affairs). To the contrary, in the years immediately
following 1994, senior governmental decision makers were faced with inadequate,
inappropriate or malfunctioning organisational settings and procedures, leading to
choices being made by a small circle. The governmental politics model assists in
identifying, in all three cases, the lack of an ‘action channel’ – that is, a process to allow
for the aggregation of competing perceptions and preferences for making decisions and
taking action. Whether institutional overhaul (integrated governance, the cluster system,
policy frameworks and a National Security Council) improved matters in later years
could not be fully determined. The study found that the governmental politics model was
difficult to operationalise because certain data relating to decision making processes
remain confidential. The study concludes with recommendations regarding the application of Allison’s models in the South African setting.
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South Africa's standing in the international order, 1995 to 2007Van Heerden, Oscar January 2011 (has links)
No description available.
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South Africa's Bid for the 2004 Olympic Games as means for international unity and international awarenessMasuku, Philile 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mega-events such as the Olympic Games have emerged as one of the most significant
features of the global era. Not only has the number of participants increased, but also
the hosting of these events has been seen as an opportunity for countries to externally
market themselves, in an attempt to raise their international profile, and to develop
national identity. As such, many nations continue to enthusiastically compete to host
these events. Despite the prestige of hosting events, South Africa has in the past been
excluded from participating, let alone being considered to bid to host events of such
magnitude. This was as a result of the Apartheid policy that extended into sport. After
being admitted into the world of sport, it has joined the list of nations that regularly
compete to bid.
There are two questions that this study sets out to explore. Firstly, how did hosting of
the Games market South Africa internationally? Secondly, did hosting the Games help
celebrate South Africa's national identity? In trying to answer these questions, the
marketing power concept has been used. Part of the proposition is that marketing
power is more sought after by state elites who lack national identity. In light of this,
South Africa has been used as a case study. Bidding to host the Olympic Games was
no easy road for South Africa, and in the aftermath of the Bid, this study identifies the
reasons why the Bid was unsuccessful.
The findings suggest that South Africa's attempt to host the Games did indeed market
the country internationally. However, the findings indicate that bidding to host the
Games did not bolster national identity, instead it revealed that there was lack of unity.
In addition there are some important lessons that can be drawn from this study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoë-profiel gebeure soos die Olimpiese Spele is een van die mees opmerklike
gevolge van die globale era. Buiten dat die aantal deelnemers aan sulke gebeurtenisse
dramaties togeneem het, het die eise en die kompetisie om sodanige gebeurtenisse aan
te bied, toegeneem omdat state hierdeur hulself ekstern kan bemark en intern skep
sulke gebeurtenisse 'n geleentheid om nasionale identiteit te bevorder. Ten spyte van
die prestige wat die gasheer-staat in sulke gevalle te beurt val, is apartheid Suid-
Afrika histories uitgesluit van deelname aan veral hoë profiel sport, en was die
aanbieding van sulke gebeurtenisse in Suid-Afrika buite die kwessie. Namate Suid-
Afrika weer 'n aanvaarde lid van die gemeenskap van nasies geword het, het Pretoria
ook toenemend begin bie om hoë-profiel sportgebeurtenisse aan te bied.
Hierdie studie verken twee sentrale vraagstukke. Eerstens, hoe bemark die aanbied
van die Olimpiese Spele Suid-Afrika op 'n internasionale grondslag? Tweedens, help
die aanbieding van sulke sportgebeure werklik om 'n gevoel van 'n nasionale
identiteit onder Suid-Afrikaners aan te wakker? Ten einde die vrae te beantwoord,
word in 'n hoë mate van die konsep, 'bemarkingsmag' ('marketing power') gebruik
gemaak. Daar word deel geargumenteer dat bemarkingmag juis deur staatselites
nagejaag word in samelewings waar nasionale identiteit gebrekkig ontwikkel is. Die
Suid-Afrikaanse geval is dus by uitstek 'n toonaangewende voorbeeld van die tendens.
In die studie word daar aangedui hoekom die bie proses ten einde die Olimpiese Spele
aan te bied so 'n besondere komplekse uitdaging is, hoe dit deurgevoer is en waarom
Suid-Afrika misluk het.
Die bevindings suggereer dat motivering om die Spele aan te bied inderdaad gedryf is
deur die behoefte om Suid-Afrika se bemarkingsmag uit te brei. Ten spyte hiervan,
het die bie-proses ook 'n baie brose sin van nasionale identiteit ontbloot het en 'n
duidelike rasse-skeidslyn in terme van populere steun vir die bie-proses. Die studie
onttrek ook 'n aantal gevolgtrekkings wat vir ander bod-prosesse van waarde kan
wees.
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No longer the skunk of the world? Neoliberalism, human rights and contemporary South African foreign policy (1994-2014)Von Essen, Brendan Craig January 2016 (has links)
Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of
Master of Arts in the field of International Relations, at the
University of the Witwatersrand, 2016 / In the early 1990s South Africa left the Apartheid-era and transformed into a country based on
liberal democratic principles such as freedom and human rights. The soon to be inaugurated
president, Nelson Mandela, promised that South Africa would base its new foreign policy on these
same principles and the pursuit of the international human rights agenda. Initially this seemed to
be the case; South Africa signed on to most international human rights conventions and even acted
on these principles condemning Nigeria when the ruling regime executed human rights activists.
However, once the country gradually began adopting neoliberal ideological positions, first
domestically then in its foreign policy, the prominence of human rights in South Africa’s foreign
policy began to wane. This is evidenced in South Africa’s actions on international organisations
as well as the country’s approach to human rights challenges such as the Zimbabwean crisis in the
early 2000s and the furore over planned visit of the Dalai Lama in 2011.
Using a hermeneutic approach it is possible to gain an ontological understanding of the process by
which this move towards neoliberalism lead to a economisation and commodification of South
Africa’s foreign policy between 1994-2014. This in turn undermined the liberal democratic
principles which underpinned the country’s international relations leading to a relegation of the
human rights agenda to a subsequent by product which can be achieved through greater market
liberalisation. / MT2017
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Assessing South Africa's "quiet diplomacy" towards Zimbabwe : strengths and weaknesses.Mkhize, Mbekezeli Comfort. January 2008 (has links)
The research project begins with the land reform programme in Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2008. Under colonialism Britain took most arable land from the indigenous Zimbabweans and gave it to the white (minority) settler population. The research attempts to look at how, after independence, President Robert Mugabe has handled the issue of land in an effort to reverse this situation. Some of the consequences of land reform include the collapse of the economy, political instability and social incoherence. Together, these consequences have led to the 'crisis' to describe social and political life in Zimbabwe. Most importantly, the project analyses South Africa's approach in dealing with this 'crisis'. Therefore, South Africa's approach has become the key subject upon which this project will be focused. Initially, the approach that was adopted and implemented by South African government towards Zimbabwe was termed "Quiet Diplomacy". The reasons for this approach are several. Firstly, this approach was one way of respecting the sovereignty of Zimbabwe. In other words, this was an attempt to honour and respect the internal affairs of Zimbabwe. Secondly, Thabo Mbeki's government was of the view that using economic muscle to sanction Zimbabwe would worsen the situation because Zimbabwe is dependent on South Africa in terms of electricity supply and other resources. However, as Quiet Diplomacy appeared to be ineffectual in halting Zimbabwe's slide into further disarray, much criticism has been generated. Critics state that the approach is not working, and it has made the situation worse in Zimbabwe. In addition, the study, therefore, has hypothesised that: "Quiet Diplomacy" is not a viable approach to deal with the Zimbabwean crisis. In making this claim, the study observes both the strengths and weaknesses of "quiet diplomacy". Finally, the study also seeks to make possible options (other than quiet diplomacy) that South African government should have considered. In the end, the study intends to make recommendations such as 'smart' sanctions that could be used to address the situation in Zimbabwe. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.
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South Africa’s voting behaviour in the United Nations, 1994-2008Graham, Suzanne Elizabeth 10 April 2013 (has links)
D.Litt. et Phil. (Politics) / This study places on record South Africa‟s UN voting data from 1994 to 2008. It also investigates consistency in terms of South Africa‟s declared foreign policy and its actual voting practices at the UN during that period. The voting data and related speeches are drawn from the UN‟s Index to Speeches available through the UN Documentation Centre as well as from an examination of the recorded votes in the UN Index to Proceedings and the United Nations Bibliographic Information System (UNBISnet) – the two main databases concerning voting records in the UN and found in the Dag Hammarskjold online library. Using its own three-step model of voting behaviour, the study traces South Africa‟s declared foreign policy on selected issues in the first step; the Republic‟s voting actions on the issues in the second step, and then interpretations of the voting actions taken in the final step. By organising the voting data in this way, the study intends to make the examination of South Africa‟s voting behaviour within this multilateral forum more manageable. The model is applied to four themes identified as prominent within South Africa‟s foreign policy in the years under review. A table is also employed to assess if the voting is inconsistent, partly consistent or consistent with the declared policy under review. The Republic‟s voting behaviour is examined with regard to the following four themes: the promotion of human rights and democracy; disarmament and related non-proliferation issues; the advancement of African interests and the consolidation of the African Agenda within the context of North-South relations, and reform of the UN and the promotion of equitable global governance. The study concludes that between 1994 and 2008 there was congruity between South Africa‟s declared foreign policy and its UN voting behaviour in most respects. The Republic was mostly consistent on issues of UN reform, followed by the promotion of African interests, then disarmament issues and lastly with regard to human rights and democracy promotion. It is evident that South Africa has stumbled at times and sidelined certain principles, human rights promotion in specific countries most especially. It could be said that South Africa‟s foreign policy evolved from one unsure how to deal with human rights issues at the UN, to one rooted firmly in nurturing solidarity with its Southern partners in Africa and the rest of the world. This reflects a young democracy finding its way in the multilateral organisation and attempting to balance external expectations of the Republic with its foreign policy priorities. Overall South Africa demonstrated a fair commitment to its declared foreign policy, and principles, in its UN voting behaviour.
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Contending issues in South Africa's foreign policy : universalism versus economic national interest : the case of South Africa's arms sales to 'pariah states' 1994-1999Othieno, Timothy January 2005 (has links)
This study examines post-apartheid South African foreign policy under former President Nelson Mandela, and the apparent ambiguities that were its recurrent feature in the period from 1994 to 1999. Its focus is on the inherent irreconcilability of the economic national interests and the foreign policy principles which included the promotion of and respect for universalist principles and interests such as human rights, democracy, international peace and security. In examining South African foreign policy during this period, it would appear that the country was trapped between two competing priorities: the need to promote "universalist" principles and the need to satisfy its national economic interests. The main aim of the study is to explain how this "irreconcilability" between universalist principles and national economic interests would later create ambiguities and contradictions in South Africa's foreign policy, weaken respect for its foreign policy principles, and ultimately lead to ideological failure among politicians who employed 'short-term gain' policy decision-making in dealing with 'pariah states'. The study further demonstrates that "realist" national interests are frequently short-term, realizable and vital for a country, while universalist interests are long-term, idealistic and usually not easily realizable. It will be argued, therefore, that a country faced with making decisions about its vital national interests, will not make efforts to pursue long-term universalist interests if that choice would in any way endanger its fundamental national interests. In order to better assess this ambiguity, this thesis will provide a case study of Pretoria's arms sales to 'pariah states' during the period. The purpose of this study is not to attempt to explain all of the issues around post-apartheid foreign policymaking, or even to argue whether the sale of arms to 'pariah states' was 'politically incorrect', but to provide a 'piece of the puzzle' which might explain how the social and economic situation may have compelled Pretoria to sell arms when these actions disregarded universalist principles of foreign policy. The conclusion seems to confirm the realist view that universal values and principles can be regarded only when they are in harmony with a state's perceived self-interests.
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Analise van die politieke, ekonomiese en militêre verhouding tussen die Republiek van Suid-Afrika en die Volksrepubliek van Sjina, 1998-2012Bezuidenhout, Marius 05 1900 (has links)
Text in Afrikaans / Suid-Afrika het sy diplomatieke bande met Taiwan verbreek en hegte diplomatieke bande met Sjina in 1998 aangeknoop. Hierdie hegte verhouding wat tussen Suid-Afrika en Sjina ontwikkel het, word dikwels deur politici, die media en vakbonde veroordeel as nadelig vir Suid-Afrika. Ten einde hierdie veroordelings te staaf, of te weerlê, is ‘n analise van die politieke, ekonomiese en militêre verhouding tussen Suid-Afrika en Sjina onderneem. Aangesien Suid-Afrika voor 1998 verhoudinge met Taiwan gehandhaaf het, kon die verhouding wat tans tussen Suid-Afrika en Sjina bestaan, vergelyk word met die vorige verhouding met Taiwan. Die verhandeling kon gevolglik tot ’n gevolgtrekking kom rakende die verhouding. / In 1998 South Africa broke off diplomatic ties with Taiwan when it established full relations with China. Since then, South Africa’s ties with China have been frequently criticised by politicians, the media and trade unions as disadvantageous to South Africa. To refute or confirm this perception, an analysis of the political, economic and military ties between South Africa and China has been undertaken. South Africa’s relations with Taiwan prior to 1998 are the basis for the comparison of South Africa’s relations with China. As a result, this dissertation is able to reach a conclusion regarding these ties. / Political Sciences / M.A. (International Politics)
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Increasing soft power - a case study of South Africa's bid to host the FIFA 2010 World CupMarx, Andrew Morne 04 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study attempts to determine if South Africa was actively attempting to boost its
soft power or symbolic power during the country’s bid to host the Fifa 2010 World
Cup. Preceding works dealing with mega-events identified a number of potential
benefits to the hosting nation. Some of these benefits include opportunities for
development (sport and socio-economic), nation building, urban regeneration, and
marketing. Previous works have focused a great deal on economic and nation
building aspects of mega-events. The marketing possibility for a host to develop as a
tourist destination has also enjoyed some focus.
There also exists a large amount of literature dealing with power – its nature,
resources and types. There is for instance structural and relational power while, in the
traditional sense, wealth and military might may be seen as power resources.
However, the importance and maintenance of soft power – or symbolic or co-optive
power, as defined in this study – has been greatly overshadowed by the traditional
ideas of power and as a result, neglected by International Relations scholars.
This study links the marketing potential of mega-events with the deployment of soft
power. The case study specifically deals with South Africa’s World Cup bid as a
marketing forum for enhancing the country’s soft power. For such an analysis it is
necessary to investigate South Africa’s diplomatic status, global position, relationship
with the North and South, and power resources. The importance of soft power being
essential to South Africa’s specific situation, global position and future, is also
investigated.
Using the bid for the 2010 World Cup, this study concludes that South Africa was
indeed projecting specifically chosen images of the country with the intention of
enhancing the country’s soft power. It is furthermore argued that these images are
both a reflection and in support of South Africa’s foreign policy and emerging middle
power position. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie poog om vas te stel of Suid Afrika doelgerig probeer het om die land se
sagte mag te versterk tydens die Fifa 2010 Wêreldbekerbod. Vorige studies oor
grootskaalse gebeurtenisse meen dat dit sekere potensieële voordele inhou vir die
gasheer. Dit sluit in geleenthede vir ontwikkeling (sport en sosio-ekonomies), nasiebou,
en stedelike herlewing en bemarking. Vorige werke het ook meerendeels
gefokus op die ekonomiese en nasie-bou aspekte van grootskaalse gebeurtenisse. Die
bemarkingsvoordele wat dit inhou vir die gasheer se toerismebedryf is ook gereeld
vehandel.
Daar bestaan ook vele geskrewe werke oor mag. Verskillende bronne van mag is
ondermeer ‘n gewilde onderwerp. Daar is byvoorbeeld strukturele mag en
verhoudings mag. Tradisioneel word militêre en ekonomiese vermoëns gesien as
bronne van mag. Die belangrikheid van sagte mag of simboliese mag, soos dit in
hierdie studie gedefinieër word, is egter tot ‘n groot mate oorskadu deur traditionele
idees van mag. Daardeur het Internasionale Betrekkinge akademici dit ook tot ‘n
mate afgeskeep.
Hierdie studie illustreer die bemarkingspotentiaal wat grootskaalse gebeurtenisse
inhou vir sagte mag. Die gevallestudie handel spesifiek oor Suid Afrika se 2010 bod
as ‘n potentieële bemarkingsforum vir die bevordering van die land se sagte mag. Die
analise het vereis dat Suid Afrika se diplomatieke status, globale posisie, verhouding
met die Noorde en Suide, en bronne van mag behandel word. Die belangrikheid van
sagte mag vir Suid Afrika se toekoms word ook aangespreek.
Die gevolgtrekking is dat Suid Afrika wel gepoog het om sekere gekose beelde na die
buiteland te projekteer. Die spesifieke doel met die beelde was om die land se sagte
mag uit te brei. ‘n Verdere bevinding is dat die beelde gelyktydig Suid Afrika se
buitelandse beleid en ontluikende middel magsposisie gereflekteer het.
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The impact of globalisation on trade unions : Cosatu’s present and future engagement in international issuesNepgen, Arnold 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MA (Political Science. International Studies))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The effects of ‘accelerated globalisation’ can not be denied when observing modern
innovations shaping human life. Its development and consequent revolutionary
impact is unlike any other in modern history. The last half of the twentieth century
witnessed changes in exponential terms, such as informational and technological
innovations that constantly redefine the way people function. This study focuses on
the effect of globalisation on trade unions, paying particular attention to the formation
of liberal economic conditions, the rise of global capital flows, and the diversification
of workers, working conditions and employment patterns.
Globalisation has led to the formation of new social, economic, and political
conditions which have made it increasingly difficult for trade unions to function in
traditional ways. At the heart of this lies the fundamental opposition of capital to
labour, and increasingly so under conditions of global competition. Trade unions, are
organisations that represent worker interests through solidarity and strength in
numbers, traditionally at the national level but increasingly they are being challenged
on a global level. Thus, due to various internal and external factors, the situation
many unions find themselves in is one of survival instead of growth and influence.
The case study of Cosatu was chosen due to the benefit of analysing the
organisation’s past success as well as present situation. Although it has not been
unaffected by the problems facing unions worldwide, it has managed to achieve some
notable successes in the process. The practice of social movement unionism has been
highly effective in mobilising under-represented groups, and is found to still be
effective in South Africa, although at a diminished scale.
It is imperative for all unions to restructure the way they function so as to incorporate
previously marginalised groups, to utilise technology and globalisation to their
advantage, and to educate potential new entrants to the labour market.
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