Dr Chris Alden is a Professor in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a senior research associate with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). Professor Alden taught International Relations at the University of the Witwatersrand from 1990 to 2000 where he conducted research into emerging powers, African and South African foreign policy and post-conflict peace building. His most recent publications are: ‘South Africa’s Symbolic Hegemony in Africa’ (with Maxi Schoeman) in International Politics 52; China and Mozambique: From Comrades to Capitalists (Jacana 2014) co-edited with Sergio Chichava; and ‘South Africa in the company of giants: the search for leadership in a transformed global order’ in International Affairs 89 (1) 2013 (with Maxi Schoeman).