Globalization and regionalism : liabilities and possibilities for Africa

This research explores the liabilities and possibilities of African regionalism in an emerging international system characterized by economic globalization. The paper concerns itself with understanding the ways in which scholars are conceiving the concept of globalization, determining the ways in which the phenomenon is impacting the international system, and discerning globalization's impact on political and economic outcomes in Africa. The paper argues that globalization is driving the establishment of a global free market capitalist economic system based on competition, efficiency and productivity. This emerging international political economic order increasingly favours economies of scale and collective capacity. That is, its organizational logic is such that only those competitors who can rapidly mobilize and deploy vast resources across a range of domains will be able to compete effectively in the system. Accordingly, the wealthy areas of the globe are organizing themselves into increasingly cohesive economic and political regional groupings. Furthermore, globalization is speeding the inclusion of poorer countries into this fiercely competitive market. However, the terms of inclusion are dictated by and in favor of the wealthiest and most powerful members of the international society. Based on this reading of international life the paper argues that more pervasive cooperation and integration is ultimately Africa's only viable development strategy. African regionalism is examined in historical perspective an assessment of past initiatives, which it is now clear have largely faltered, yields the conclusion that a fundamental strategic re-orientation is required. The constitutional, 'grand-strategy' approach to integration must give way to an orientation that emphasizes more functional economic connections below the level of the state. Thus, this paper advocates the gradual and incremental enlargement of the area of cooperation across political and economic domains within and across regions on a functional basis. The establishment of an African Free Trade Area is viewed as the most effective framework for animating a functional orientation.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Political Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2000

Author dc:creator

• Chikuhwa, Tonderai W

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Stephan, Harry

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7833

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/7833