New regionalism in Southern Africa? Between South African hegemony and globalisation

Abstract

This article describes and explains the process of regionalism in Southern Africa. In doing so, it argues that although the new regionalism has come to mark the on-going regional integration process, traces of the old regionalism are still to be found at work in the region. The new regionalism expresses itself through the increasing role of multinational corporations and their investments in cross-border infrastructure development projects located in development corridors, a role previously played exclusively by the state. The new regionalism is expected to deepen the levels of integration in the region and lead to the birth of a common regional agenda that is likely to enable the region to effectively respond to the challenges posed by globalisation. However, the pursuit of the interests of the South African state and its multinationals have often been found to be at variance with those of its neighbouring states, and this has created widespread resentment of what is perceived as South Africa’s intention to dominate the region.