Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Rational Choice, Security, and Economic Cooperation in Southern Africa |
Author: | Hull, Adrian Prentice |
Year: | 1996 |
Periodical: | Africa Today |
Volume: | 43 |
Issue: | 1 |
Period: | January-March |
Pages: | 33-52 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Southern Africa |
Subjects: | regional security regional economic relations Inter-African Relations Development and Technology Economics and Trade |
External link: | https://www.jstor.org/stable/4187080 |
Abstract: | As a consequence of the apartheid era, security has played a crucial role in the regional affairs of southern Africa. In this paper the rational-choice theory, especially its expected-utility (EU) model, is used to explain the propensity for conflict and cooperation in the region. First, political developments in southern Africa over the past several decades are outlined. This is followed by a review of the expected-utility model and its relevance for southern Africa. The elements of the model that are crucial in the southern African case are its calculation of the congruence of interest between nations and of their expected utility for initiating war. Next, a research design and empirical tests are created to evaluate the expected-utility approach. The paper concludes that the actions of six nations - Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe - will determine the future of regional security and economic cooperation. However, unless the new South Africa takes the lead, very little will come of regional coordination. App., notes, ref. |