International Trade Policy and Class Dynamics in South Africa: The Economic Partnership Agreement

Description

This book provides an innovative perspective on class dynamics in South Africa, focusing specifically on how different interests have shaped economic and trade policy. As an emerging market, South African political and economic actions are subject to the attention of international trade policy. Claar provides an in-depth class analysis of the contradictory negotiation processes that occurred between South Africa and the European Union on Economic-Partnership Agreements (EPA), examining the divergent roles played by the political and economic elite, and the working class. The author considers their relationships with the new global trade agenda, as well as their differing standpoints on the EPA. Front Matter ....Pages i-xv Introduction and Theoretical Focus (Simone Claar)....Pages 1-36 Front Matter ....Pages 37-37 National Context: Contemporary South African Capitalism, the State and Its Policy (Simone Claar)....Pages 39-63 Transnational Context: International Trade Relations (Simone Claar)....Pages 65-77 Front Matter ....Pages 79-79 South African Capitalist Classes: From Mining to Agriculture (Simone Claar)....Pages 81-101 South Africa’s Political Elite and Its Political Objectors (Simone Claar)....Pages 103-128 South Africa’s Popular Classes (Simone Claar)....Pages 129-144 South Africa’s Economic State Apparatuses (Simone Claar)....Pages 145-164 Front Matter ....Pages 165-165 The EU–SADC EPA: Road Map and Conflicts (2006–2010) (Simone Claar)....Pages 167-180 Class Fraction Perspectives on the Conflicting EPA Issues (Simone Claar)....Pages 181-207 Restart of the EU–SADC EPA Negotiation and Its Outcome (Simone Claar)....Pages 209-222 Conclusion (Simone Claar)....Pages 223-237 Back Matter ....Pages 239-244