The question of South Africa's future has become a paramount issue in global politics. This book examines the position of South Africa as it faces the 1980s-its strengths, its weaknesses, and the probable influences of other states on South Africa in the years to come. The authors share a common interest in an analytical approach to a topic often argued with more emotion than rationality. They discuss South Africa's internal situation, with particular emphasis on the interests and aspirations of the political parties competing for power; then they focus on external realities, looking at the country's ability to project influence abroad as well as the power of others to affect events within it. In sum, they highlight crucial trends shaping South Africa's current and future development.

The historical controversy over South Africa's policy of apartheid has not been without effect on that country's participation and status in the international system. This book explores the impact of these efforts on the racial policies of South Africa and on the international organizations.

The question of South Africa's future has become a paramount issue in global politics. This book examines the position of South Africa as it faces the 1980s-its strengths, its weaknesses, and the probable influences of other states on South Africa in the years to come. The authors share a common interest in an analytical approach to a topic often argued with more emotion than rationality. They discuss South Africa's internal situation, with particular emphasis on the interests and aspirations of the political parties competing for power; then they focus on external realities, looking at the country's ability to project influence abroad as well as the power of others to affect events within it. In sum, they highlight crucial trends shaping South Africa's current and future development.

The historical controversy over South Africa's policy of apartheid has not been without effect on that country's participation and status in the international system. The black African states have been particularly inclined to use the public forums of intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations and the specialized agencies to press f