South Africa in the international arms trade network (ATN) during national party rule (1948-1994): a network analysis
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Date
2015
Authors
Senekal, Burgert A.
Stemmet, Jan-Ad
Stemmet, Karlien
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State
Abstract
South Africa is renowned for its arms industry, which was established under apartheid to counter
external threats during the Cold War, increasing internal threats from the black majority, and
internationally imposed arms embargoes. The country’s arms industry developed numerous novel
and technologically advanced weapons systems, and the war in Angola meant that these weapons
systems were proven in combat. While trade with the rest of the world became increasingly difficult as
subsequent embargoes were imposed, the country’s perpetual conflicts demanded the import of weapons
in any way possible, while the combat-proven nature of South African weapons systems allowed the
country to export tried-and-tested weapons systems as well (at least until the late 1980s). This article
uses network theory to investigate South Africa’s role in the global Arms Trade Network (ATN) from
1948 to 1994, and discusses South Africa’s overall role and trading partners. It is shown that, in terms
of the trade relations in the ATN, South Africa was a central role player throughout the apartheid years,
and that its role changed from importer to exporter in the later years.
Description
Keywords
Arms trade, Complex networks, Apartheid, Arms embargoes, Sanctions, Trade networks
Citation
Senekal, B. A., Stemmet, J. A., & Stemmet, K. (2015). South Africa in the international arms trade network (ATN) during national party rule (1948-1994): a network analysis. Journal for Contemporary History, 40(2), 48-70.