Foreign Policy Ambiguity on the Part of an Emergent Middle Power
South African Foreign Policy through other Lenses
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6214151 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Olivier Serrão, Paul-Henri Bischoff, Paul‐henri Bischoff (0000-0001-5547-2863) |
| Year | 2009 |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 363-380 |
| Publication date | 2009-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Politikon (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0258-9346 • E-ISSN: 1470-1014 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/02589341003600189 |
| OpenAlex | W2049062823 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 9 |
| References cited | 16 |
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
Ambiguity · Constructivism (international relations · Economics · Epistemology · Foreign policy · Foreign policy analysis · Identity (music · International relations · International relations theory · Mainstream · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Power (physics · Sociology · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · International Development and Aid · Law · Peacebuilding and International Security
Revisiting Regionalism and the Contemporary World Order
Life narrative and the possibilities of self
Public diplomacy and regional leadership struggles
Rising Powers in Complex Regimes
Forum on Recognition in Foreign Policy (Analysis) and (The Study of) Diplomacy
Recalibrating Africa's Geo-Political Calculus
Go Global or Go Home
South Africa, Antarctica, and the ATS
Our identity is our currency
Constructivism and International Relations
International Relations
Handbook of International Relations
Social Theory of International Politics
The English School of International Relations
Foreign Policy in a Constructed World
The Return of Culture and Identity in IR Theory
South Africa's Economic Diplomacy
Hollow Hegemony
Constructing the Self and Changing Others
South Africa's post-apartheid foreign policy
South Africa's foreign policy after Mandela Mbeki and his concept of an African renaissance
The Constructive Turn in International Relations Theory
External and domestic sources of foreign policy ambiguity
| Unique citing works | 9 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,75 |
| Citation span | 2014 - 2026 (13) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 9 |