Abstract: | This paper discusses economic scenarios for regional cooperation in southern Africa. After analysing the merits and demerits of the various regional integration approaches, the author concludes that the 'development integration' approach seems to be the appropriate scenario for the southern African region. This approach is premised on the assumption that '... incompatibilities arising from underdeveloped productive structures and trading patterns make it impossible to promote integration through 'laissez-faire' policies. Rather, conscious effort [as opposed to market forces alone] by co-operating parties is seen as essential [for defining] both the scope and sectors of co-operation and [identifying] appropriate strategies and mechanisms to overcome impediments to integration'. Equitable distribution of rewards from integration is seen as a crucial prerequisite to the success of the development integration approach. Closer political cooperation and a strong political commitment-cum-will, with allowance for multispeed progression, will be decisive in determining the success of integration. SADC appears to be the most promising institutional option for regional cooperation at present. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. |