Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
With the end of white-dominated South Africa, many observers have argued for a positive transformation of the whole of Southern Africa based upon market integration and increased cooperation among the states of the region. Poku and the contributors to this collection re-examine this optimistic scenerio, and they point to the problems of translating good intentions into actual policies.
In reality, the economic imbalance between South Africa and its neighbors poses severe problems for the region. Far from finding a stronger ally in regional reconstruction and development, the countries in the region are finding that for many in South Africa they simply do not matter that much. The analysis points to greater polarization, which may imply greater marginalization of the poorer countries in the region. Moreover, a major widening of the gap between the richer South Africa and some or all of the weaker economies may lead to increased tensions and breakdown of regional relations, even to a situation detrimental to economic development in the region. A provocative analysis by some of the leading politico-economic thinkers of the region, the volume will be of great use to scholars, researchers, and policy makers involved with Southern African development.
Synopsis
Provides a detailed analysis of the ongoing politico-economic transformation of Southern Africa.
Booknews
African scholar Stephen Chan (Nottingham Trent U.) notes in his foreword that the increasing complexity of security and development issues in southern Africa is a sure sign that change is brewing in that region. Eight papers attest to the fragility of its human security and regional integration, with Lesotho featured as a case study. Uneven globalization, new security vs. critical human security analyses, and AIDS are among the challenges/approaches demonstrating that democracy is not sufficient. Other themes explored are the dynamics and limits of regionalization. Poku is a senior UN researcher and lecturer at Southampton U. The other academic contributors hail from South Africa, Botswana, the UK, and Canada. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)