Mapping the prospects for regional co-operation in southern Africa

This article examines the prospects for regional co-operation in southern Africa. It does this by ‘mapping’ southern Africa—that is, by revealing the extent to which five key preconditions for effective and sustainable cooperation are present. These five preconditions—each of whose inclusion is justified in the article—are: the distribution of power, sufficient homogeneity, and adequate regional orientation at economic, political and sociocultural levels. In light of each, the southern African region is explored, to determine the extent to which the precondition is satisfied in this part of the world. Finally, the article advances two key policy-related conclusions. The first is that regional co-operation among the 14 southern African countries will not come easily. The second is that co-operative arrangements that go up the spine of southern Africa appear more likely to yield success than those that cut across the region.