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policymaking elites of these states. Steeped in internationalism, these states havesought to cloak their actions in a veneer of morality and justice. They represent apotential in international politics, as suggested by Andrew Hurrell, for a ‘middlerangeethics’, 700 defined by a reticence to impose universal moral strictures on allpeoples. Yet, guided by basic considerations of what is just and equitable for all theworld’s people.It should not be forgotten, however, that these are still states, with wills to powerand wills to survive, wills grounded in legitimacy ultimately sourced from domesticsociety. In seeking to make sense of South African foreign policy and Brazilianforeign policy, the large majority of analysts, native or foreign, have utilised the lensof ‘politics unusual’ in assessing the emergence and projection of these states. Thishas served only to sequester them from the rest of foreign policy analysis, as specialstates, which have different international priorities to those held by the ‘traditional’great powers. It is akin to accepting without question the doctrine of ‘China’speaceful rise’ propagated by the Chinese government. While allowance may bemade for the fact that these states may represent a new set of values in internationalpolitics, room should also be left for them in traditional analyses of foreign policybased on realist principles, incorporating systemic dynamics and powerconsiderations.8.1. Discussion of Findings and Contribution of Current WorkThe thesis, as foreshadowed in Chapter 1, produces two broad conclusions: Statestructure, especially the nature of the relationships – legal and institutional –between governing parties, the executive, and the legislature, plays a significant rolein how states respond to international threats and opportunities. Also, the trajectoryof intermediate states is contingent upon both systemic and domestic factors.Five key themes were introduced in Chapter 1 as lying at the heart of the presentenquiry. They are:700 Andrew Hurrell, “Who Speaks for the Global South? Emerging Powers and GlobalJustice”, Paper prepared for the 51 st International Studies Association Convention, NewOrleans, 17-20 February, 2010.276