Foreign policy ambiguity on the part of an emergent middle power: South African foreign policy through other lenses

Serrão, Olivier; Bischoff, Paul, 1954-

Title: Foreign policy ambiguity on the part of an emergent middle power: South African foreign policy through other lenses
Creator: Serrão, Olivier
Creator: Bischoff, Paul, 1954-
Date Issued: 2009
Date: 2009
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161464
Identifier: vital:40629
Identifier: DOI: 10.1080/02589341003600189
Description: This paper attempts to address the ambiguity so frequently highlighted in South Africa's post-apartheid foreign policy. Three central arguments are put forward. Firstly, it is argued that traditional accounts of South Africa's foreign policy, utilizing rationalist or ‘mainstream’ theories of International Relations, are insufficient in themselves to explain the complexities inherent in the country's foreign policy. In this regard, constructivist IR theory offers several key insights into studies of South Africa's foreign policy. Secondly, although it is argued that constructivism, particularly its focus on identity, is crucial to understanding South African foreign policy, it alone cannot sufficiently explain its reception or results on the world stage. Finally, it is argued that in order to fully appreciate both the nature and effects of South Africa's foreign policy, a mixed focus, incorporating insights from both constructivist and materialist-based theories of IR, is necessary.
Format: 18 pages
Format: pdf
Language: English
Relation: Politikon
Relation: Serrão, O. and Bischoff, P.H., 2009. Foreign policy ambiguity on the part of an emergent middle power: South African foreign policy through other lenses. Politikon, 36(3), pp.363-380
Relation: Politikon volume 36 number 3 363 380 March 2010 1470-1014
Rights: Publisher
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Taylor and Francis Online Terms and Conditions Statement (https://www.tandfonline.com/terms-and-conditions)

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