Black Political Thought in the Making of South African Democracy

"... a comprehensive analytical survey of the multidimensional evolution of black political thought in South Africa's politicization process." --Choice

"Many citizens experience a sense of reluctance to share a single national identity with all of those who are defined by law to be their compatriots. This problem can be explained and surmounted, but it cannot be evaded by those who aspire to build a stable democracy in South Africa." --Richard L. Sklar, from the Foreword

What will it mean to be a citizen in the new South Africa? This penetrating study analyzes the issues of dual citizenship, black consciousness, populism, racial proletarianization and their interaction with various political ideologies. Halisi's analysis has practical implications for the development of political identity in the new South Africa.

"Despite its brevity this is a comprehensive analytical survey of the multidimensional evolution of black political thought in South Africa's politicization process. The author sums up his argument as follows: Non--racial and race conscious populist discourse bisects every other ideological confrontation in black South African political experience. Examining numerous categories of intellectual origins of South Africa's current political thought--nationality and race; racial proletarianization; liberalism, populism and socialism; the New Left; and a black republican synthesis-- he follows a demanding methodology that utilizes generic and relevant comparative evidence from other divided societies. Highlighting a variety of unresolved problems, e.g., the conflict between Western--oriented individual and traditional communal rights, or black power versus civil rights in the search for equal access to political rights for all races, he notes the extent to which these issues create unresolved tensions in postapartheid South Africa. While the author believes that South Africans are engaged in contradictory patterns of Western and traditional political behavior, he nevertheless sees the potential for the coexistence of these dualities. The extensive footnotes and bibliography suggest the author's rich source of evidence. This is not an easy read but merits the effort. Recommended for upper--division undergraduates and above." --M. E. Doro, emeritus, Connecticut College, 2000dec CHOICE. Indiana University Press

Halisi's penetrating study examines the important influence of black nationalism on political thought in South Africa, with particular reference to its impact on rival conceptions of citizenship in the new state.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 173-188) and index.

C.R.D. Halisi is currently a commissioned scholar with the project on the Public Influences of African-American Churches. He is also engaged in research on citizenship and political development in South Africa.

Foreword

Chapter 1: Nationality and Race

Chapter 2: Racial Proletarianization: Movements in the Evolution of A Concept

Chapter 3: Liberalism, Populism, and Socialism

Chapter 4: A New Left Battles Apartheid

Chapter 5: The Black Republican Synthesis

Chapter 6: An Enduring Duality