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Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues

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Abstract

This chapter uses her voting behaviour model to examine one of South African government’s most comprehensive commitments: the fields of disarmament and non-proliferation. During the 20 years under review South Africa’s strong moral authority in respect of non-proliferation and its rhetoric against anti-personnel landmines and small arms proliferation met with a few hurdles (notably its involvement in arms sales to war-torn countries) affecting the Republic’s distinguished reputation in the field. The chapter finds that for the most part the Republic’s foreign policy declarations on this theme were consistently adhered to in its voting behaviour. Three issues feature prominently: active participation makes for a strong reputation, technical arguments have their place, and nuclear technology should be accessible for peaceful purposes.

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Graham, S. (2016). Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues. In: Democratic South Africa's Foreign Policy. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59381-8_4

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