| Description |
1 online resource (iii, 38 pages) : color map. |
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text txt rdacontent |
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computer c rdamedia |
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online resource cr rdacarrier |
| Series |
Africa Center for Strategic Studies research paper ; no. 3 |
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Africa Center for Strategic Studies research paper ; no. 3.
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| Note |
"July 2011." |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 35-37). |
| Contents |
Executive summary. -- A paradox of rising influence and violence. -- Political violence as a source of destabilization. -- The security sector's capacity to manage unrest. -- Recommendations. -- Notes. -- About the author. |
| Summary |
South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy in 1994 was expected to usher in a new era of peace, stability, and accelerated development. However, despite widespread optimism, political violence has persisted. Although a fraction of that experienced under apartheid, levels of political violence are worsening and indicative of the country's potential fragility. They also map out the fault lines along which South Africa may yet stumble. Political violence in South Africa is primarily driven by poverty, inequality, and patronage. In the medium and long term catastrophic political violence may be triggered by a generalized sense that many of the promises of the anti-apartheid struggle remain at least a generation away. This realization, coupled with growing socioeconomic and political gaps between elites and the average citizen, poses the greatest threat to stability and security in South Africa. To avoid this scenario, fundamental changes to the status quo are needed. Citizens must again come to see tangible evidence that government is interested in the socioeconomic priorities of ordinary citizens. In other words, the South African government must regain public trust. This will require breaking up the current intertwining of political authority and economic opportunity. To do so will entail reducing the patronage value political office currently affords and establishing a more significant and institutionalized role for independent watchdog groups. Rebuilding the public order capacity of the South African Police Service will simultaneously enhance efforts to tamp down on the use of violence for political advantage while improving the state's effectiveness to maintain stability in the face of popular protests. |
| Note |
Title from title screen (viewed on November 8, 2011). |
| Subject |
South Africa -- Politics and government.
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Political violence -- South Africa.
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South Africa -- Social conditions.
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Police -- South Africa.
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Political corruption -- South Africa.
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Police. (OCoLC)fst01068398
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Political corruption. (OCoLC)fst01069240
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Political violence. (OCoLC)fst01069902
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Politics and government. (OCoLC)fst01919741
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Social conditions. (OCoLC)fst01919811
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South Africa. (OCoLC)fst01204616
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| Indexed Term |
political Africa violence 'South Africa' government |
| Genre/Form |
Online resources.
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Electronic government information.
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Electronic books.
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| Added Author |
National Defense University. Africa Center for Strategic Studies, issuing body.
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| Gpo Item No. |
0378-H-33 (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
D 5.425/3:3 |
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