South Africa and the ‘New Scramble for Africa’: Imperialist, Sub-imperialist, or Victim?

Abstract

Is South Africa a ‘sub/imperialist’ state, a leader of the Global South, or a victim of imperial power from the North? This essay unpacks the debate surrounding South Africa’s role in the ‘new scramble for Africa’ by critically contrasting competing theoretical conceptions against historical and empirical evidence. The conclusion projects a radical—and unexpected—rupture in South Africa’s power and position in the world-economy as North–South networks are broken and East–South relations replace North–South relations.