Back to Search
Start Over
SACU at centenary: theory and practice of democratising regionalism.
- Source :
- South African Journal of International Affairs; Apr2011, Vol. 18 Issue 1, p1-21, 21p
- Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) agreement signed in 2002 purported to change the predominance of South African power within the institution to give other member states greater representation, thus increasing the democratic credibility of SACU. This article explores changes to decision-making procedures in SACU resulting from the 2002 Agreement and considers the extent to which the institution has thereby democratised. The paper considers the meaning of democracy in the context of supranational regional institutions before reviewing the history of SACU in terms of decision-making processes and power relations between member states. The paper argues that while democratisation of institutions implies greater legitimacy and thus longevity, the historical trajectory of SACU means that moves towards democratisation have served rather to destabilise the institution, notwithstanding the incomplete implementation of recommended democratisation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- REGIONALISM
DEMOCRATIZATION
DECISION making
CUSTOMS unions
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10220461
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- South African Journal of International Affairs
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 60430034
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10220461.2011.564805