South Africa in International Politics
IPC1502
Theme 1:
The Cold War,
Globalization
and South
Africa in
International
Politics
Lecturer Information
Ms Basetsana Moloi
Email address: [email protected]
Consultation times:
• Monday (10:00am-12:00pm)
• Tuesday (10:00am-12:00pm)
The Cold War
• Ideological war between communism and capitalism (1945-1990)
• The Cold War is termed as such because of the absence of direct warfare
• During the Cold War there was a phenomena of two superpowers who
aimed to be a hegemon
• The concept of a bipolar balance of power comes into play as it defines
the terrain of the Cold War well
• A bipolar balance of power is when there are two superpowers in the
world as seen during the Cold War contesting to be hegemonic
• There was the East (communist) and the West (capitalist) who sought to
rule the world
• The two ideologies could not co-exist as their values differ
How does South Africa fit into the Cold War Context?
• Let us recap: Cold War= Communism vs Capitalism (ideological warfare)
• South Africa had instituted racial segregation prior to 1948 but in that
same year when the National Party (NP) came into power, they termed
this segregation as what we now know to be apartheid
• South Africa was excluded on the international arena based on these
segregationist laws as the liberation movement was gaining momentum
• This resulted in South Africa being deemed as a pariah state
Video Links
Globalisation | A Level Global Politics - YouTube
The Impact of Globalisation | Global Politics | A Level Politics - YouTube
The Cold War - Summary on a Map - YouTube
HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA: 1948-1994 *REVISION GUIDE* - YouTube
How Mandela Changed South Africa | From Prison To President | Timeline - YouTube
Important Definitions
• Cold War: Ideological war between communism and capitalism from 1945-1990
• Pariah State: A state whose behavior is contrary to international norms
• Unipolar balance of power: A stage in international politics in which there is
only one superpower
• Bipolar balance of power: A stage in international politics in which there are
two superpowers
• Globalization: An elimination of barriers to trade, communication and cultural
exchange
• Sovereignty: Refers to an excreting supreme, comprehensive, and exclusive
control over its territory
Globalization
• “By globalization, we simply mean the process of increasing
interconnectedness between societies in such that the events in one part of
the world more and more impact on peoples and societies far away” (Baylis
& Smith 2005:8)
• Characteristics of globalization
• What did globalization do for South Africa in the 1990’s?
• Is globalization still a pertinent social phenomena?
South Africa in International Politics
Before 1994 After 1994
• Apartheid • Democracy
• Regional conflict • Regional stability
• Cold War • End of the Cold War
• Isolation • Shifting global balance of power
• Few bi and multilateral relations • Full international reintegration
• Expanded international relations
Important Concepts
• State
• National interest
• Public policy
• State actors
• International law
• Diplomacy
• Globalization
• Cold War
• Propaganda
• Pariah state
• Sovereignty
• Transnational corporations
