Constructive Engagement
This was the term given to the United States' policy toward South African beginning in the 1980's (under President Reagan). It signaled a movement away from the boycotts and divestment that had been encouraged by the United Nations. They thought the international community should use incentives (rather than disincentives like boycotts) in order to encourage the end of apartheid. Additionally, Reagan (and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher) tried to have diplomatic talks with the white leaders of South Africa.
It was not successful, and critics said that it unnecessarily delayed the abolishment of apartheid.
Desmond Tutu visited the United States in 1984 and said, "constructive engagement is an abomination, an unmitigated disaster.”… “In my view, the Reagan administration's support and collaboration with it is equally immoral, evil, and totally un-Christian.”
Sources: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20042571 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_engagement
This was the term given to the United States' policy toward South African beginning in the 1980's (under President Reagan). It signaled a movement away from the boycotts and divestment that had been encouraged by the United Nations. They thought the international community should use incentives (rather than disincentives like boycotts) in order to encourage the end of apartheid. Additionally, Reagan (and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher) tried to have diplomatic talks with the white leaders of South Africa.
It was not successful, and critics said that it unnecessarily delayed the abolishment of apartheid.
Desmond Tutu visited the United States in 1984 and said, "constructive engagement is an abomination, an unmitigated disaster.”… “In my view, the Reagan administration's support and collaboration with it is equally immoral, evil, and totally un-Christian.”
Sources:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/20042571
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_engagement