Bulletin n. 1/2017
June 2017
INDICE
  • Section A) The theory and practise of the federal states and multi-level systems of government
  • Section B) Global governance and international organizations
  • Section C) Regional integration processes
  • Section D) Federalism as a political idea
    • Caromba Laurence
    Redrawing the Map of Southern Africa? A Critical Analysis of the Arguments for the Unification of South Africa and Lesotho
    in Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies , vol. 44, n. 1 ,  2017 ,  93-109
    ABSTRACT: South Africa and Lesotho have an unusual bilateral relationship. Lesotho is one of only three enclaves in the world that is completely surrounded by another state, and there is a massive size disparity between the two countries in terms of both population and GDP. This means that Lesotho is in a position of extreme dependence towards its larger neighbour, which has occasionally led to speculation that the two states might, at some point in the future, merge into a single entity. Such speculation is more prevalent in Lesotho, but it has occasionally been raised by South Africans too. However, previous arguments for or against unification have generally not taken into account the full range of political and economic consequences of such a policy. This article first situates the relationship between Lesotho and South Africa within the broader theoretical debate over postcolonial African borders. It then considers the arguments for unification on several levels: in relation to politics, the role of the military, fiscal considerations, and economic policy. The section on politics considers the quality of governance in Lesotho, the political role of its military, and the potential effects of a merger on South African national politics. The section on fiscal considerations compares the level of fiscal support that Lesotho would receive within South Africa to the level that it currently receives as a member of Southern African Customs Union. Finally, the section on economic policy weighs up the value of Lesotho’s ability to make independent economic policy decisions against the drag and inefficiency that occurs as a result of having to move goods and people across the national border with South Africa.
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