South Africa's relations with Latin America (1966-1988)

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This is a qualitative, exploratory study which has as its primary aim the description and analysis ofSouth Africa's international relations with Latin America between 1966 and 1988. A secondary aim ofthe study is to demonstrate the utility of using a multi-level, multi-actor framework for the study ofinternational relations (the pluralist paradigm) which takes cognisance of the fact that actors in theinternational system mobilise support around a wide variety of issues. The purpose is not, however, toestablish empirically that a theory with these underlying assumptions can be used to explain SouthAfrica's relations with Latin America.The importance of the study lies in its contextual nature and the fact that previously no extensiveattempt has been made to undertake a comprehensive study of the subject matter in question. In thissense this thesis is an attempt to address the current lack of information on South Africa's internationalrelations with Latin America.South Africa's international relations with Latin America were analysed using the indicators whichGeldenhuys (1990) has used in his work on isolated states in the international system, viz. thediplomatic terrain, the economic terrain, the military terrain and the socio-cultural terrain.The study's major finding is that the issue of South Africa's status in the international system was thechief contributing factor in the initiatives which were launched to expand her relations with variousstates in Latin America. The most important benefits which accrued to the South African state in thisrespect were political and military of nature. The economic component of South Africa's outwardmovement to Latin America was important but, given the small amount of trade involved, the economicbenefits went to non-state actors and not the South African state. Another important finding is the factthat the democratisation process in Latin America during the eighties resulted in a hardening ofattitudes by the states concerned towards South Africa. Finally, the study concludes that the prospectsof a major expansion in a post-apartheid South Africa's relations with Latin America is unlikely.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University