International Trade Policy and Class Dynamics in South Africa: The Economic Partnership Agreement (International Political Economy Series)

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. Acknowledgement 6 Contents 8 Abbreviations 10 List of Figures 13 List of Tables 14 Chapter 1: Introduction and Theoretical Focus 15 Scope of the Book and the Research Question 22 Theoretical Framework 25 Historical Materialist Policy Analysis and South Africa’s Specific Situation 33 Structure of the Book 36 References 39 Part I: South Africa’s Political Economy 51 Chapter 2: National Context: Contemporary South African Capitalism, the State and Its Policy 52 Point of Departure: Economic and Trade Policy During Apartheid (1948–1990) 55 From RDP to AsgiSA: All About Growth 57 Black Economic Empowerment 59 Second Decade: Growth, Industrial and Trade Policy 61 Trade Policy and Strategy Framework 61 New Growth Path and National Development Plan 63 Economic and Political Turmoil 64 References 69 Chapter 3: Transnational Context: International Trade Relations 77 South Africa and the WTO 77 South Africa and BRICS 78 South Africa in Africa and the Region 80 South Africa’s Trade Relations with the European Union2 82 References 85 Part II: South Africa’s Class Relations in Economic and Trade Policy 90 Chapter 4: South African Capitalist Classes: From Mining to Agriculture 91 Mining Capital as the Core of the South African Economy 91 Manufacturing Capital—Vocal and Organised? 94 Finance and Banking Capital 96 Agricultural Capital 99 Business Representation: Clash of Capital Interests? 101 References 105 List of Interviews 111 Chapter 5: South Africa’s Political Elite and Its Political Objectors 112 The ANC as the Political Elite and Its Relation to Workers and Capitalists 112 The Alliance Partners: The SACP and COSATU 118 Opposition Parties and Their Relation to Capitalist and Popular Classes 124 References 130 Chapter 6: South Africa’s Popular Classes 138 Working Classes, Their Fractions and Representatives 139 Subaltern Classes Beyond Working Class 146 References 150 Chapter 7: South Africa’s Economic State Apparatuses 154 The Presidency and National Treasury 155 Department of Trade and Industry and Further Relevant Departments 158 Parliament and NEDLAC 161 Beyond the State Apparatus: Trade Policy-Related Organisations 163 Summary: South Africa’s Constellation of the Relationship of Forces 166 References 169 List of Interviews 173 Part III: Reconstructing the Process: South Africa’s Classes and the Economic Partnership Agreement 174 Chapter 8: The EU–SADC EPA: Road Map and Conflicts (2006–2010) 175 References 184 List of Interviews 188 Chapter 9: Class Fraction Perspectives on the Conflicting EPA Issues 189 Conflicts over Trade in Goods 192 Conflicts over Trade in Services and Investment 198 Conflicts over Deep Integration Issues 203 The (Unspoken) Class Compromise 208 References 211 List of Interviews 215 Chapter 10: Restart of the EU–SADC EPA Negotiation and Its Outcome 216 The Final EPA: Changes in the Relationship of Forces 219 Why a EU–SADC EPA Agreement? 223 References 227 List of Interviews 229 Chapter 11: Conclusion 230 The (Non)Future of the New Trade Agenda? 238 References 241 Index 245 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 This Book Provides An Innovative Perspective On Class Dynamics In South Africa, Focusing Specifically On How Economic And Trade Policy Have Shaped The Interests Of Two Strands Of The South African Population. 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. Simone Claar. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book provides an innovative perspective on class dynamics in South Africa, focussing specifically on how economic and trade policy have shaped the interests of two strands of the South African population. 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 This volume provides an innovative perspective on class dynamics in South Africa, focusing specifically on how economic and trade policy have shaped the interests of two strands of the South African population