A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of
the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
of Master of Arts in International Relations
Johannesburg, 2014 / This study set out to interrogate the impact of the U.S. - S.A. trade relationship
on Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS). A qualitative method of
study was chosen and the literature review method was used.
South Africa’s foreign policy making was analysed and it was found that in
1994, the country, sought international standing and economic growth. As such,
it chose foreign policy that met the stringent criteria of Brenton Woods
institutions and liberalised markets, privatised and had a stringent tax regime.
The country also carved out a niche as an agent for peace on the African
continent and a champion of the global South.
South Africa’s post-democratic relationship with the United States was analysed
and found to have been negatively impacted by the hangover of Cold War
politics and the U.S.’s relationship with the apartheid government. The new
government also considered Russia and other American enemies like Cuba,
Iran and Lybia allies. The South African government never fully trusted the
U.S.’s intentions and was wary of agreeing too often with the country for fear of
being called a puppet of the U.S. However, the two countries managed to find
common ground and continue to trade with each other successfully.
The relationship between BLNS and S.A. in SACU was found to be unequal
with BLNS still economically and geographically dependent on S.A. This is in
spite numerous changes meant to bring about equality in SACU. The study
concluded that there was no real impact on BLNS as a result of the relationship
between U.S. and S.A.BLNS suffered a negative impact when the European
Union and S.A. signed an agreement but they ensured they were not victims of
the U.S. – S.A. trade relationship.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/18343 |
| Date | 27 August 2015 |
| Creators | Saule, Asanda |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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