Abstract
This dissertation aims to contribute to the debate concerning South African hegemony. A major problem concerning the debate about South African hegemony is that it is a contested notion, in that there is no solid or definite prescription concerning its status. This dissertation is explanatory in nature. It seeks to explain the contested notion in the hope of defining South African hegemony, but instead of focusing on selective attributes which describe it, we will re-conceptualise it in order to capture its essence. The contemporary explanation of hegemony has evolved and developed into a complex term with hundreds of definitions having evolved over the years. Nevertheless, the “core” association denotes powerful states’ dominance over others. What make hegemony unique and separate from other forms of domination is that it involves consensus amongst the dominated. Examining South Africa’s natural dominance in Africa there is a necessity to define its hegemony, whether soft powered, hard powered or benevolent. By examining the relatively superior power, espoused in its ideas, economy and military, this dissertation aims to delineate the parameters of South African hegemony in terms of political science, hence clarifying and defining its essence.
M.A. (Politics)