Abstract:
Africa’s international marginalization is preponderantly conceptualized through world
systems approaches, particularly structural dependency. Consequently, the region’s
socioeconomic quagmire‚ characterized by economic Stagnation, abysmal poverty,
inequality and foreign dependency, is often attributed to its colonial heritage. Particular
reference is made to the small size of the African state and its structural specialization in
primary production. Collective self reliance based on mutual interdependence (regional
integration) thus suggests itself as a logical way to overcome the structural constraints
imposed by the small size of the state, while at the same time representing a viable
alternative to asymmetric trade with developed countries. It is within the context of this
theoretical framework that this study critiques the predisposition of the regional body in .
Southern Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), towards a
A trade biased approach to regional integration (market integration). This critique is based
on theoretical and empirical findings showing that trade led strategies are primarily suited
for developed countries with robust manufacturing industries and complimentary
e production structures. Countries in Southern Africa are however characterized by a near
absence of manufacturing industries, are at different levels of development and show low
levels of trade complementarities. This study therefore concludes that market integration i
is an inappropriate strategy for regional integration in Southern Africa and in the process
suggests development integration — a political economy approach, as an alternative.
