A strategic hegemonic approach to funtional developmentalism in deepening regional cooperation and intergration in Africa
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Date
2013
Authors
Francis, Romain
Jazbhay, Ahmed Haroon
Molete, Nathan Teboho
Motlhoki, Stephina
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State
Abstract
Two competing perspectives have influenced the debate concerning the approach to be adopted in
search of continental-wide integration in Africa. Although both perspectives argue for the idea of a
“United States of Africa”, the approach of former Libyan leader, Muhammar Gaddafi, advocated
for holistic integration, whilst other African leaders, spearheaded by Thabo Mbeki, argued for
incrementalism aimed at first strengthening regional integration. Whereas the African Union (AU)
has accepted incrementalism as the preferred approach to continental integration, minimal emphasis
has been placed on what this approach should constitute. Drawing from the successes of the Southern
African Power Pool (SAPP) and West African Power Pool (WAPP), this article argues that functional
developmentalism is most suitable to strengthening Regional Economic Communities (RECs) throughout
the continent. It postulates that functional developmentalism signifies a more effective role for hegemons
which is firmly entrenched in the principles and norms of cooperative hegemony. Using the criteria for
cooperative hegemony, namely capacities for power sharing, power aggregation and commitment, it
illustrates the potential for enhancing regional cooperation.
Description
Keywords
Regional cooperation, Regional integration, Incrementalism, Hegemonic stability, Functional developmentalism, Regional economic communities, African Union (AU), West African Power Pool (WAPP), South African Power Pool (SAPP)
Citation
Francis, R., Jazbhay, A. H., Molete, N. T., & Motlhoki, S. (2013). A strategic hegemonic approach to functional developmentalism in deepening regional cooperation and integration in Africa. Journal for Contemporary History, 38(2), 179-201.