The destabilisation controversy: an analysis of a high‐risk foreign policy option for South Africa

Abstract

In recent months relations between the states of the Southern African region have been racked by reciprocal and continuing accusations of destabilisation. This article is concerned first, with the definition of this evocative and loosely used concept and secondly, with the analysis of regional political and economic circumstance, underscoring the author's conclusion that mutual suspicion of attempts at destabilisation is plausible and valid.