Inside South Africa's foreign policy : diplomacy in Africa from Smuts to Mbeki

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Title:

Inside South Africa's foreign policy : diplomacy in Africa from Smuts to Mbeki

Author:

Siko, John.

ISBN:

9781780768311

Personal Author:

Siko, John.

Physical Description:

xii, 336 pages ; 24 cm.

Series:

International library of African studies ; 43

International library of African studies ; 43.

Contents:

Understanding South African foreign policymaking -- A brief history of South African foreign policy -- Public opinion and pressure groups -- The press -- Academia -- Business -- Parliament -- Ruling parties -- Government departments -- The prime minister and president -- Conclusion - Room, but not willingness, for engagement.

Abstract:

"John Siko has had insider access to South Africa's leading foreign policy players, and has been able to ask why Pretoria has taken its various stances and who has mattered in influencing those decisions, a topic little examined since 1994. In addition, he examines the foreign policy process over the past century, determining that despite ANC promises of greater democratic engagement on foreign policy, the process has changed quite little."--Publishers website

Geographic Term:

South Africa -- Foreign relations -- 1994-

South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-

South Africa -- Foreign relations -- 20th century.

South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1948-1994.

Copies:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Copy	Status
Searching... 1:IIEMSA	1:GEN-BOOK	33168025751229	327.68 S579.I 2014	1	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

South Africa is a major player in African diplomacy. Its economic, diplomatic and military resources far outstrip those of other nations on the continent, and it has, since the country's 1994 democratic transition, sought to take a lead role in the continent's relations with other power blocs, particularly during the 1999-2008 presidency of Thabo Mbeki. While Mbeki's push for greater African engagement in the global political sphere drew widespread praise, other positions-notably its seeming inaction toward Zimbabwe and perceived abandonment of its stated emphasis on human rights in foreignpolicy-were more controversial, both at home and abroad. John Siko has had insider access to South Africa's leading foreign policy players, and has been able to ask why Pretoria has taken its various stances and who has mattered in influencing those decisions, a topic little examined since 1994. In addition, he examines the foreign policy process over the past century, determining that despite ANC promises of greater democratic engagement on foreign policy, the process has changed quite little.