Hans Abrahamsson assesses the current world order and structural change, within an historical framework. He analyzes the interaction of Pax American and the Bretton Woods system in the postwar period, and its impact, specifically on the development of Southern Africa. The author also proposed an analytical model and a methodological framework for the study of the international political economy and its global and local implications. Finally, he addresses the circumstances behind the current opportunity for global change, and the social forces and political action required in order to seize it.

Autorentext

HANS ABRAHAMSSON is a Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy at the Göteborg University, Sweden. His research interest focus on the room of manoeuvre for transformation of the current world order structures. His previous works include Mozambique - The Troubled Transition, co-authored with Anders Nilsson.

Zusammenfassung
This book assesses the current world order and structural change, drawing on empirical findings of the interaction of Pax Americana and the Bretton Woods system in the post-war period and its impact on the development in Southern Africa. Through its conceptual and methodological framework it identifies when, why and how historical opportunities for change emerge at various levels. The book proposes an analytical model and provides the reader within the fields of International Relations, Development Studies and International Development co-operation with tools for a multilevel analysis of the current room of manoeuvre for structural transformations. Hans Abrahamsson points to the structural opportunity for global change presently at hand based upon contradictory circumstances and coinciding elite interests. Whether such an opportunity can be seized depends on the involvement of the civil society and the normative strength of the social actors.

Inhalt

List of Figures Foreword; B. Hettne Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction PART I: UNDERSTANDING WORLD ORDER STRUCTURES - AND THEIR LOCAL IMPACT Conceptual Framework Brettons Woods Revisited Pax Americana and Southern Africa Mozambique and the Washington Consensus PART II: UNDERSTANDING STRUCTURAL CHANGE - AND THE WAY FORWARD Theoretical Guidance An Analytical Model for Action A Globality with Contradictory Circumstances Towards a Structural Opportunity for Change Out of the Trap The Role of the International Development Cooperation Conclusion Main Sources and References Index