The realm of foreign policy and international relations is inherently fluid and complex. Unlike domestic policy, which is primarily the preserve of policy-makers within our borders, foreign policy is impacted and influenced by external actors and issues.  However, with heightened globalisation even domestic policy is increasingly becoming globalised and consequently state sovereignty becomes a contested concept. Global citizens and observers do not concern themselves with what countries profess . . . Continue reading this article

On 27 October, the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection will convene a workshop on the Evolution of the South African State, where papers developed by various researchers will be presented. What are some of the issues that will be discussed? The recent global economic crisis, the high levels of poverty, unemployment and inequality, and the calls for greater state involvement in the economy, are events that should encourage South Africans across ideological, racial, class and gender divides . . . Continue reading this article

 AISA DISCUSSION PANEL ON DEMOCRATISATION CRITICAL THINKING FORUM THEME: “Regime Change in Libya and Recognition of the National Transitional Council:  Assessing the West and AU Perspectives” David Maimela 5 October 2011 Programme Director, ladies and gentlemen, all protocol observed! Thank you most sincerely for inviting us to speak today! Our talk today is titled: “An elusive rules-based multilateral global system of governance - Equal human beings, unequal powers”. From the onset . . . Continue reading this article

A response to David Maimela (by Prof Jonathan Jansen) There is an important debate breaking in the national press about the place of student politics on university campuses. The argument is made, and here I agree, that student politics is a vital component of the transformation of South African universities. A university is, without question, a place that should accommodate and give expression to the range of political ideas and ideals of the broader society. It is a place where such ideas should . . . Continue reading this article

The current legal case challenging the constitutionality of ‘banning’ political student organisations from partaking in SRC elections at the University of Free State has implications for the political system in South Africa, higher education and our young democracy as a whole, at least in the long-term. In this court case, the University of Free State’s (UOFS) management and student organisations are at loggerheads about the best student governance model for UOFS. In my view, essentially, . . . Continue reading this article