Theory, Change and Southern Africa - (International Political Economy) by P Vale & L Swatuk & B Oden (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

As dramatic changes unfold throughout the world, and the new millennium begins, many in South Africa have begun to ask 'what next'? The scale and pace of change have led to a feeling of powerlessness. How to cope with 'globalization', 'regionalization', a depleting ozone layer, new diseases, rampant militarization, let alone unseen structures of influence and oppression like race, class and gender? While there is no shortage of theoretical models on offer many feel that they are inadequate for the case of Southern Africa. In this book, scholars of both international relations and Southern Africa present a wide variety of thoughts on the future of the reign and the place of theory in helping us to understand the bewildering array of events characterizing the late-modern, early twenty-first century world. This book marks a 'call to theory': if Southern Africans are to overcome the divisive legacy of the past, and to move toward a more prosperous and sustainable collective future, theory must be placed at the centre of everyday life. For it is our understanding of the world that shapes both it and us.

Review Quotes

' Theory, Change and Southern Africa's Future breaks with orthodox international relations by making a 'call to theory'...the editors argue in this intriguing book, theory must be placed at the centre of everyday life. For it is our understanding of the world, they suggest, that shapes both it and us .' - E.C. Webster, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

About the Author

ANDRE DU PISANI Dean of Social Sciences, University of Namibia BJÖRN HETTNE Director of Peace and Development, Göteborg University, Sweden MERLE HOLDEN Professor, Department of Economics and Management Sciences, University of Natal, South Africa ANTHONY LEYSENS Department of Political Science, University of Stellenbosch MICHAEL NIEMANN Associate Professor, International Studies Programme, Trinity College HUSSEIN SOLOMON Research Manager, African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes LISA THOMPSON Senior Lecturer, School of Government, University of the Western Cape BALEFI TSIE Associate Professor, Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Botswana