Southern Africa: regional sub-system or sub-imperial complex?

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Periodical article

Title:	Southern Africa: regional sub-system or sub-imperial complex?
Author:	Southall, R.J.
Year:	1982
Periodical:	The African Review: A Journal of African Politics, Development and International Affairs
Volume:	9
Issue:	2
Pages:	36-61
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Southern Africa South Africa
Subjects:	blocs imperialism
Abstract:	Two dominant modes of analysis of Southern Africa as a distinct region have evolved: 1. delineation of Southern Africa as a regional sub-system, an approach closely linked to the dominant theoretical perspectives of western political science, and 2. identification of Southern Africa as subject to the sub-imperialism of South Africa, based upon a neo-Marxian perspective. In contrast to regional sub-systems analysis, which offers only limited returns, the sub-imperialism approach is conceptually more profound, and potentially more productive. However, because its utility is limited by its present inspecific formulation, it is argued here that there is an urgent need for theoretical advance. Notes.