Prof Janis van der Westhuizen from the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University delivered his inaugural lecture on Thursday 26 September 2024. The title of his lecture was 'The world is bigger than five': Global swing states and the changing global order'.
Van der Westhuizen spoke to the Corporate Communication and Marketing Division about how South Africa should use the swing state concept as a strategy to enhance its autonomy, optimise conditions for economic growth and reduce unemployment.
Tell us more about your research and why you became interested in this specific field
I undertook my PhD studies at a time when there was great optimism about the post-Cold War era, especially the benefits of economic globalisation for the developing world. However, despite considerable economic growth in the Global South, many key institutions of global governance continue to reflect the balance of power as it was in 1945. It is fascinating to see how and whether the post-2022 order, will reflect the ideas, material capabilities and institutions of a much more multipolar world.
How would you describe the relevance of your work?
Unlike the 1990s, the West is no longer 'the only show in town' – there are going to be 'multiple shows'. I hope that teaching students about other countries in the Global South (although I only specialise in one), helps them look at the world in a more comparative way. Sometimes I find that when we transpose a typical 'South African' problem to another country, students look at the issue in a different way, sometimes without the 'labelling' that is so easy to cast around if you think your country's problems are 'unique'.
How do you see the role of global swing states like India, Brazil and South Africa in a changing global order?
In 2012 I was invited to attend a four-day workshop funded by DFID (the British development agency) at the University of Sussex attended by social activists, academics and NGO types from the 'emerging powers'. What was striking over the course of the workshop was how naturally the Brazilians, the South Africans and Indians flocked together during lunch and evening events. As the BRICS currently stands, democracies are in short supply. Civil society in India, Brazil and South Africa should stick together to ensure that there is a strong democratic 'hub' within the BRICS.
What are some the problems and possibilities associated with being a swing state?
Navigating world order after Ukraine will require incredible diplomatic agility. One hopes that the government of national unity will see the swing state concept (states that wield significant power on the world stage, but change their preferences for cooperation) as a strategy to enhance South Africa's autonomy rather than an ideological straight jacket to optimise conditions for economic growth and reduce unemployment. When we take over the G20 in December this year, it could provide South Africa with a golden opportunity to set the tone in this direction.
You have spent many years in the challenging environment of higher education. What keeps you motivated when things get tough?
Once in a blue moon, just as you see a student coming towards you and you expect her or him to either bargain two percent more out of you for admission to the exam or to ask for an assignment extension, they come to tell you how much they enjoyed your course.
How do you spend your free time?
On weekends I usually potter around the garden or when I am not too lazy, I'd go biking on a Sunday morning (provided there is no wind!).
