The further the distance, the closer the ties

In his article ‘death of distance’, Caincross (1997) challenged the orthodoxy with regard to the role and direction of proximity in international trade. The mainstream model for trade analysis, the gravity model has only two prominent determinants – one of which is distance. But while this theory predicts a negative impact of distance on trade, empirical evidence seems to be evenly split between those finding a positive and those finding a negative impact of distance on trade. South Africa’s total exports to three groups of countries at different distances are measured to determine the impact of distance. The results indicate that distance shows a negative sign when African countries are concerned but turns positive when European countries, even more distant, enter the equation

Regional integration in Africa versus higher levels of intra-Africa trade

Regional integration arrangements have mushroomed worldwide, both on intra-regional and extra-regional levels. On an intra-regional level, Africa faces a complicated grid of multiple and overlapping membership of several regional integration organisations, aiming to increase intra-regional trade and cooperation. In this study, a comparative analysis will be executed, based on an intra-regional breakdown of trade, using the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa classification of countries according to geographical region. The level of intra-regional trade will be determined, whereafter the level of inter-regional trade will be established and, lastly, trade with the rest of the world. It seems that despite the high level of regional integration within Africa, it does not necessarily stimulate intra-Africa trade to expected levels as proposed by literature. A regional integration strategy that would cause deeper integration is crucial if the continent is to play a rightful role in the global arena.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cdsa202015-10-30hj201

Choice of Exchange Rate Regime in a Selection of African Countries

An exchange rate regime has an important impact on macroeconomic policies within developing countries and therefore essential in macroeconomic policy formation. The main research question is to determine how the variety of determinants would influence the exchange rate regime choice for a selection of 19 African developing countries. A distinction is made between three groups of variables, namely economic fundamentals, economic stabilisation aspects and currency crises factors, all affecting a country’s exchange regime choice. The probability of these determinants is then estimated to establish whether the selected countries would choose a fixed, an intermediate or a flexible exchange regime.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wjab202017-02-20hb201

“Viagem e alargamento conceitual” na apropriação do léxico emergente ao estudo das Relações Internacionais

Resumo O trabalho analisa o léxico “emergente” em sua apropriação no estudo das Relações Internacionais. O trabalho parte da observação de que o emprego desse predicado a fenômenos das Relações Internacionais carrega transformações em seu significado original, na literatura sobre mercados financeiros. A análise proposta está estruturada em três etapas. Primeiramente, observamos as transformações semânticas do termo em sua literatura original, bem como a historicidade envolta em sua apropriação pelas Relações Internacionais. Essa apropriação será sustentada, à continuação, através de um estudo quantitativo, utilizado como proxy da disseminação do emprego do léxico emergente na disciplina. Por fim, a análise conduz um estudo qualitativo sobre os padrões semânticos no emprego do termo na disciplina, de modo a obter um protótipo conceitual do termo apropriado. Na conclusão, serão discutidos alguns aspectos teórico-metodológicos dos resultados para utilizar o termo “emergente” como um conceito nas Relações Internacionais