BA(Hons) MA DPhil(Stell)
I am interested in the global politics of development, poverty, and inequality, and teach on this (POLS 211, POLS 533) and the ethics of international relations (POLS 312).
My DPhil is from Stellenbosch University, South Africa (1984), and I have been a visiting professor in Germany, Japan, and South Africa. I serve on the editorial boards of a number of international journals, and I am a fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany).
Postgraduate students who are interested in issues of development, corruption, inequality, poverty, and the political consequences of natural disasters are welcome to contact me. I have supervised 22 PhDs and more than 60 other postgraduates. My ex-postgrads teach at renowned universities, including St Andrews, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, Leiden University, and the Berlin Social Science Center.
Full CV and list of publications (PDF)
Teaching
- POLS 211 Global Political Economy
- POLS 312 Ethics and International Relations
- POLS 553 The Global Politics of Poverty and Inequality
- POLS 501 The ‘Politics’: Theory and Practice
Contact details
Room 4N6, 4th floor, Arts (Burns) Building
Tel +64 3 479 6549
Email philip.nel@otago.ac.nz
Research day – Friday
Selected books
![]() | The Politics of Economic Inequality in Developing Countries |
![]() | The Routledge Handbook of African Development |
Google Scholar | |
Mobility rules: Why New Zealanders oppose redistribution |
Publications
Amusan, T., & Nel, P. (2023). The limits of mutual benefit: A neo-mercantilist perspective on China’s economic relations with Nigeria. South African Journal of International Affairs. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/10220461.2023.2207557
Ellis, L., Winter, C., Headley, J., Goldsmith, L., Patman, R., Roper, B., & Nel, P. (2022, August). World in crisis panel. Panel discussion at the Otago Politics Day School, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Nel, P. (2022). Mobility rules: Why New Zealanders oppose redistribution. Kōtuitui, 17(1), 24-43. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2021.1912121
Nel, P. (2021). Why Africans tolerate income inequality. Journal of Modern African Studies, 59(3), 343-365. doi: 10.1017/S0022278X21000161
Nel, P. (2020). South Africa, BRICS, and the global governance: How SA tried to change the world and succeeded in changing itself. In S. Y. Kim (Ed.), The political economy of the BRICS countries: Volume 2: BRICS and the global economy. (pp. 83-111). London, UK: World Scientific. doi: 10.1142/9789811202308_0005
Nel, P. (2008). The politics of economic inequality in developing countries. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 206p.
Authored Book - Research
Nel, P., & Jordaan, E. (2000). Workbook for power, wealth and global order: An international relations texbook for Africa. Cape Town: UCT Press.
Authored Book - Research
Nel, P., Nabers, D., & Hanif, M. (Eds.). (2015). Regional powers and global redistribution. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 133p.
Edited Book - Research
Boston, J., Nel, P., & Righarts, M. (Eds.). (2009). Climate change and security: Planning for the future. Wellington, New Zealand: Institute of Policy Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, 116p.
Edited Book - Research
Carlsnaes, W., & Nel, P. (Eds.). (2006). In full flight: South African foreign policy after apartheid. Midrand, South Africa: Institute for Global Dialogue, 226p.
Edited Book - Research
Nel, P., & van der Westhuizen, J. (Eds.). (2004). Democratizing foreign policy? Lessons from South Africa. Lanham: Lexington Books, 223p.
Edited Book - Research
Nel, P., & McGowan, P. (Eds.). (2002). Power, wealth and global equity: An international relations textbook for Africa (2nd ed.). Cape Town: UCT Press.
Edited Book - Research
Nel, P. R., Taylor, I., & van der Westhuizen, J. (Eds.). (2001). South Africa's Multilateral Diplomacy and Global Change. Ashgate: Aldershot.
Edited Book - Research
Nel, P., & McGowan, P. (Eds.). (1999). Power, wealth and global order: An international relations textbook for Africa, 17. Cape Town: UCT Press.
Edited Book - Research
McGowan, P. J., Cornelissen, S., & Nel, P. (Eds.). (2006). Power, wealth and global equity: An international relations textbook for Africa (3rd ed.). Cape Town, South Africa: UCT Press, 442p.
Edited Book - Other
Nel, P. (2020). South Africa, BRICS, and the global governance: How SA tried to change the world and succeeded in changing itself. In S. Y. Kim (Ed.), The political economy of the BRICS countries: Volume 2: BRICS and the global economy. (pp. 83-111). London, UK: World Scientific. doi: 10.1142/9789811202308_0005
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2018). Corruption. In T. Binns, K. Lynch & E. Nel (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of African development. (pp. 649-662). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2018). Inequality in Africa. In T. Binns, K. Lynch & E. Nel (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of African development. (pp. 104-119). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P., Nabers, D., & Hanif, M. (2015). Introduction: Regional powers and global redistribution. In P. Nel, D. Nabers & M. Hanif (Eds.), Regional powers and global redistribution. (pp. 1-10). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. R. (2011). Sustainable development. In B. Badie, D. Berg-Schlosser & L. Morlino (Eds.), International encyclopedia of political science. (1st ed.) (pp. 2575-2578). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P., & Stephen, M. (2010). The foreign economic policies of regional powers in the developing world. In D. Flemes (Ed.), Regional leadership in the global system: Ideas, interests and strategies of regional powers. (pp. 87-90). Farnham, UK: Ashgate.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2009). Dealing with inequality: A conversation with Islamic economics. In T. Shogimen & C. J. Nederman (Eds.), Western political thought in dialogue with Asia. (pp. 135-160). Plymouth, UK: Lexington Books.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2007). When can the rabble redistribute? Democratization and income distribution in low- and middle-income countries. In W. R. Garside (Ed.), Institutions and market economies: The political economy of growth and development. (pp. 222-249). Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2006). Globalization and violent political dissent in developing countries. In R. G. Patman (Ed.), Globalization and conflict: National security in a ′new′ strategic era. (pp. 56-76). London, U.K: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2006). The power of ideas: ′Ambiguous globalism′ and South Africa's foreign policy. In W. Carlsnaes & P. Nel (Eds.), In full flight: South African foreign policy after apartheid. (pp. 108-124). Midrand, South Africa: Institute for Global Dialogue.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P., & Carlsnaes, W. (2006). Introduction. In W. Carlsnaes & P. Nel (Eds.), In full flight: South African foreign policy after apartheid. (pp. 17-22). Midrand, South Africa: Institute for Global Dialogue.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2003). Making Africa safe for capitalism: US policy and multilateralism in Africa. In R. Foot, S. N. MacFarlane & M. Mastanduno (Eds.), US hegemony and international organizations: The United States and multilateral institutions. (pp. 167-192). Oxford University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2002). Between counter-hegemony and post-hegemony: The Rome statute and normative innovation in world politics. In A. Cooper, J. English & R. Thakur (Eds.), Enhancing global governance: Towards a new diplomacy? (pp. 152-161). Tokyo: United Nations University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2002). Untangling the 'gamble on investment': Elite perceptions of globalization and South Africa's foreign policy during the Mandela era. In K. Adar & R. Ajulu (Eds.), Globalization and emerging trends in African states' foreign policy-making processes: A comparative perspective on southern Africa. (pp. 153-172). Ashgate: Aldershot.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2000). South Africa: The demand for legitimate multilateralism. In A. Schnabel & R. Thakur (Eds.), Kosovo and the challenge of humanitarian intervention: Selective indignation, collective intervention, and international citizenship. (pp. 245-259). New York: United Nations University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (1998). South Africa and the movement of non-aligned countries. In G. Mills & A. Handley (Eds.), Yearbook of South Africa's International Relations 1998/9. (pp. 137-146). Johannesburg: SAIIA.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (1998). The new rhetoric. In J. Mouton & J. Muller (Eds.), Theory and method in South African human sciences research: Advances and innovation. (pp. 105-128). Pretoria: HSRC.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nel, P. (2006). Morality and ethics in international relations. In P. J. McGowan, S. Cornelissen & P. Nel (Eds.), Power, wealth and global equity: An international relations textbook for Africa. (3rd ed.) (pp. 46-66). Cape Town, South Africa: UCT Press.
Chapter in Book - Other
Nel, P. (2006). Theories of international relations. In P. J. McGowan, S. Cornelissen & P. Nel (Eds.), Power, wealth and global equity: An international relations textbook for Africa. (3rd ed.) (pp. 21-45). Cape Town, South Africa: UCT Press.
Chapter in Book - Other
Nel, P. (1998). South Africa and the movement of non-aligned countries. In Fowler (Ed.), Fowler's Economic and Political Report 1998. (pp. 2-8).
Chapter in Book - Other
Amusan, T., & Nel, P. (2023). The limits of mutual benefit: A neo-mercantilist perspective on China’s economic relations with Nigeria. South African Journal of International Affairs. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/10220461.2023.2207557
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (2022). Mobility rules: Why New Zealanders oppose redistribution. Kōtuitui, 17(1), 24-43. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2021.1912121
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (2021). Why Africans tolerate income inequality. Journal of Modern African Studies, 59(3), 343-365. doi: 10.1017/S0022278X21000161
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (2019). When bribery helps the poor. Review of Social Economy, 78(4), 507-531. doi: 10.1080/00346764.2019.1618482
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (2018). Redistribution with African characteristics. Politikon, 45(2), 145-162. doi: 10.1080/02589346.2017.1298276
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P., & Taylor, I. (2013). Bugger thy neighbour? IBSA and South-South solidarity. Third World Quarterly, 34(6), 1091-1110. doi: 10.1080/01436597.2013.802507
Journal - Research Article
Mylek, I., & Nel, P. (2010). Religion and relief: The role of religion in mobilizing civil society against global poverty. Kōtuitui, 5(2), 81-97. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2010.519391
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (2010). Redistribution and recognition: What emerging regional powers want. Review of International Studies, 36(4), 951-974. doi: 10.1017/s0260210510001385
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P., & Righarts, M. (2008). Natural disasters and the risk of violent civil conflict. International Studies Quarterly, 52(1), 159-185. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2478.2007.00495.x
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (2006). El regreso de la desigualdad [The return of inequality]. Sistema, 195, 83-101.
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (2006). The return of inequality. Third World Quarterly, 27(4), 689-706.
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (2005). Democratization and the dynamics of income distribution in low- and middle- income countries. Politikon, 32(1), 17-44.
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (2005). Global Inequality Revisited [Review Article]. Global Society, 19(3), 317-327.
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (2003). Income inequality, economic growth, and political instability in sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Modern African Studies, 41(4), 611-639.
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P., & Teng-Zeng, F. (2003). Science and technology in sub-Saharan Africa: Regional cooperation in a post-national environment. Africa Insight, 33(3), 28-36.
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P., & van Wyk, J.-A. (2003). Foreign policy making in South Africa: From public participation to democratic participation. Politeia, 22(3), 49-71.
Journal - Research Article
Taylor, I., & Nel, P. (2002). 'New Africa', globalisation and the confines of elite reformism: 'Getting the rhetoric right, getting the strategy wrong. Third World Quarterly, 23(1), 163-180.
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P., van der Westhuizen, J., & Taylor, I. (2000). Multilateralism in South Africa's Foreign Policy: The search for a critical rationale. Global Governace, 6(1).
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (1999). The foreign policy beliefs of South Africans: A first cut. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 17(1), 123-146.
Journal - Research Article
Nel, P. (1998). Idealism resurgent (and what realists should do about it): Ideas and foreign aid. South African Journal of International Relations, 5(2), 96-112.
Journal - Research Article