Available online
Description
In this programme Dr James Barber, Reader in Political Science at the Open University, considers the internal and external constraints affecting successive British Governments - both Conservative a...nd Labour - on the question of arms sales to South Africa. The discussion, which includes filmed interviews with Commonwealth and South African leaders, suggests that the various pressures will work to move governments with different public policies towards a common position.
In this programme Dr James Barber, Reader in Political Science at the Open University, considers the internal and external constraints affecting successive British Governments - both Conservative a...nd Labour - on the question of arms sales to South Africa. The discussion, which includes filmed interviews with Commonwealth and South African leaders, suggests that the various pressures will work to move governments with different public policies towards a common position.
| Module code and title: | D203, Decision making in Britain |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D203; 14 |
| First transmission date: | 23-07-1972 |
| Published: | 1972 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:19 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Michael Philps |
| Contributors: | James Barber; Julius Nyerere; David Steel; Donald Stokes |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Arms sales; Internal and external constraints; South Africa |
| Footage description: | Opening shot of Dr. Verwoerd explaining South African domestic policy at a press conference, followed by James Barbers introduction to the programme; voice over film of Buccaneer aircraft and of segregation in South Africa. Barber outlines the backgrounds to the arms for South Africa problem. Quoting from party leaders' speeches, James Barber outlines the main commitments in terms of policy towards arms for South Africa undertaken by the two political parties; the Labour statement dates from 1963, the Conservative one from 1970. James Barber turns his attention now to a consideration of the constraints on British foreign policy in the particular case of whether or not to supply arms to South Africa for external defence. A diagram is used to demonstrate the position of the government as intermediary between pressures internal and pressures external. Sequence showing anti-South Africa demonstrations (1971) and filmed interviews with David Steel and Donald Stokes, these demonstrating conflicting internal pressures. James Barber considers external constraints upon the government and illustrates his points with excerpts from filmed interviews with President Nyrere and Dr. Vorster. James Barber discusses the room for manoeuvre open to the British government between conflicting internal and external constraints. Barber discusses the strengths of these constraints. Excerpt from Robin Day interview with Dr. Arikpo of Nigeria illustrates Barber's point of the strength of opinion hostile to South Africa. Barber now presents the strength of the arguments in favour of arms sales to South Africa. Animations show South Africa's geographical position and South African white immigration between 1961 and 1971. Barber outlines the historical links between Britain and South Africa, as well as cultural and linguistic ties. Economic links are also stressed. James Barber now turns to the constraints related to the defence of the Cape Route. Barber uses a map to show what strategic importance Britain assigned to the Cape Route. A sequence from an interview with a South African naval officer is shown to illustrate defence worries and reasons for the existence of the defence constraints upon Britain. The arguments against the defence cooperation with South Africa are briefly outlined. James Barber closes the programme with a series of questions relevant to the student's assignment. Credits. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/70428 |
| Production number: | 00521_2213 |
| Videofinder number: | 3415 |
| Available to public: | no |
