The Influence Of South African Political Party System On Its Foreign Policy

The foreign policy of a state can be regarded as a reflection of its domestic politics and interest, including competition of different political parties and organizations that command various political resources, status quo of its domestic politics, economy, culture, military strength and strategic goal. At the same time, it is also influenced by the international power configuration. South Africa has experienced one-party autocracy in a multi-party system over a long period of time. During the Apartheid period, the National Party had governed South Africa for 46 years, while the African National Congress has been administrating the state for 20 years since the first nationwide democratic election in 1994. Both parties used foreign policy as a tool to realize interests of the group they represent.Unter the reign of the National Party from the year 1948 to 1994, which represented the interests of South Africa’s white minority, especially the Africaner, and adopted Apartheid policy upon the Africans and the colored races. South Africa’s foreign policy also served the Apartheid system, supporting those European colonialists in the African continent, attacking national liberation movements, and fighting against anti-racism of worldwide. The NP monopolized the power to make foreign policy decisions, leaving limited influence to other political parties of the White within the parliament. The only possible way of the national liberation forces was to impose pressure on the NP through international sanctions.After the first general election of 1994, the African National Congress which represents common interest of the majority, won the election and came to power. Within the new political party system, the South Africa Communist Party and the Congress of South Africa Trade Union participate in the foreign policy decision-making process through the coalition party. Other legal political parties of different interests may come into play by winning the general election and getting into the parliament. Since 1997, the core of South Africa’s foreign policy has been to pursuit for the leading role in African Renaissance process, which is applauded by both the domestic and international audiences.