South Africa - Evolution and Development of Democratic States PDF
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These notes cover the evolution and development of democratic states in South Africa from 1976 to 2009. They explore conditions leading to democratic reform, including international condemnation of apartheid, the Soweto uprising, and discrimination. Concepts like Bantustans, apartheid policies, and struggles for democratic rights are also examined.
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South Africa - Evolution and development of democratic states 1976-2009 Emergence of democratic states Conditions that encouraged the demand for democratic reform ○ From the year 1970 to 1980 there was widespread internati...
South Africa - Evolution and development of democratic states 1976-2009 Emergence of democratic states Conditions that encouraged the demand for democratic reform ○ From the year 1970 to 1980 there was widespread international condemnation of the apartheid. Particularly from the United nations which passed resolutions calling for sanctions and divestment from South Africa. ○ The Soweto uprising created much pressure on the government to conform. This is an example of some resistance moments (student protest/uprisings) ○ White rule 1950s law which helped to establish racial segregation. Created with laws such as Group Areas act and Bantu education act. This greatly restricted black south africans’ rights. ○ Discrimination - Bantustans These bantustans are like the homelands in the 1960s. This was an attempt to separate South Africans into independent states that were not white. This was an attempt to remove blacks from the main part of South Africa. ○ Policy of Apartheid Officially created in 1948 under the prime minister. Created laws requiring blacks to carry passbooks, added racial segregation in housing education and employment. Struggles for democratic rights ANC, MK, Black Consciousness ○ ANC: Established in 1912. Led the apartheid in non-violent struggle against the apartheid. ○ MK: the armed front of the ANC. Formed in 1961 by Nelson Mandela. Started when peaceful protests were met with violence. ○ Black Consciousness: Led by Steve Biko. Gained prominence in the 1970s. Showed Black pride and unity. Biko was killed in 1977 in police custody. United Democratic Front Formed in 1983. United many anti-apartheid groups. Trade Unions and churches to fight against these policies. COSATU Congress of South African Trade Unions. Played a crucial role in organizing labor strikes against the apartheid. ○ Violence S oweto Uprising of 1976. Resulted in Death of hundreds of Students. Protesting against the use of Afrikans in Schools. Sparked further resistances and uprisings. Political, social and economic factors; external influences ○ Sanctions were imposed. Arms embargoes on South Africa in 1963. US Imposed sanctions. ○ The United Nations imposed an arms embargo in 1963. Passed several resolutions condemning the apartheid. ○ Civic Protests Township Riots in 1989 as well as strikes by Unions such as Cosatu demanded democratic rights and improved living conditions for back population ○ Role of the UN In 1973. The UN declared a crime against humanity. Economic sanctions, bans on arms and trade imposed by varying countries have an effect on the country's economy. ○ Economic sanctions Widespread economic hardship ○ Fall of Communism Fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Pressured the regime to negotiate with the ANC as they lost their cold war alliances. The role and significance of leaders ○ Mandela Imprisoned for 27 years. 1962 to 1990. Became a symbol for resistance Started to lead negotiations that resulted in the first democratic election in 1994. ○ Biko Black conscious movement. Sought to empower black South Africans. Died in 1944 in police custody. Considered a turning point in the anti-apartheid struggle. ○ De Klerk Elected president in 1989. Played large role in dismantling the apartheid. In 1990 he unbanned the ANC and released Mandela from prison. Helped with leading to the negotiations for democratic reforms. Development of political parties, constitutions and electoral systems; the significance/impact of those developments ○ National Party Led by Hendrick Verworerd. Implemented the apartheid policies. NP began the process in the late 1980s. ○ ANC Banned in 1960 after the Sharpeville massacre. C ontinued to fight after exile. After the release of Mandela the ANC became the dominant party in post-apartheid South Africa. ○ Inkatha Freedom Party Founded in 1975 by Mangoshthy Butelzi Rival to the ANC Advocated for nationalism but opposed the ANC-led organizations. ○ CODESA Multi-party negotiation process from 1991 to 1993. Led to the agreement on South Africa’s decision into democracy. ○ Election of 1994 First fully democratic election in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was elected president. Peaceful transfer of power. Was concerned to be violent, but was not ○ Government of National Unity Formed after the election in 1994. ANC and national party and the Inkatha freedom party to ensure stable transition. ○ 1996 Constitution Made as a model for human right protection. The development of democratic states Factors influencing the evolution of democratic states ○ Internal pressures from the anti-apartheid movement pushed South Africa to a more democratic reform. ○ Promoting Nation-building - new flag, national anthem Adopted in 1994. To symbolize the country’s democratic unity. ○ Truth and Reconciliation Commission Chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the TRC was established in 1995. Was to document human right violations during the apartheid, Promote national healing. ○ Problems of regional and ethnic diversity Tensions grew Groups like the ZULU and Xhosaa\ Responses to, and impact of, domestic crises ○ Faced challenges such as high crime rates, economic inequality, and political violence. ○ Political Extremism and violence Violent between the ANC and IFP in the 1990s Especially in KwaZulu-Natal. Struggle for equality: suffrage movements; civil protests ○ Women’s march on august 9th in 1956 against laws against women ○ Poverty and inequality Continued to face massive inequality with significant portions of the black population living in poverty. ○ Land reform Began initiatives to redistribute land from white to black South Africans. Progress was slow and remains a contentious issue. ○ Civil society protests Continued protest. Trade unions Student movements Demanded improvements in education, housing, and employment. ○ Tension in the Tripartite Alliance ANC, COSATU, and the SACP Over economic policies ○ GEAR in 1996 led to debates over pace reforms. Impact of democracy on society Social and economic policies and reforms ○ Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) 1994, aimed at addressing apartheid socio-economic legacy. Focused on housing, water, electricity, and land Faced many challenges. ○ Growth, Employment and Reconstruction Program (GEAR) Introduced in 1996. Shifted focus to market driven policies. Led to some economic recovery Criticism over emphasis on privatization. ○ Policies for the distribution of wealth Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). Aimed to address economic inequalities. ○ Policies to reduce Unemployment National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) Aimed to reduced unemployment Challenges remained as it stayed high. ○ Policies to regulate labor relations Labour Relations Act (1995) Aimed to improve working conditions to promote worker rights. ○ Policies to extend social welfare 1997 White Paper on Social Welfare Outlined government’s plan to extend social welfare. Focused on minority groups in trouble. ○ Reforms in education 1996 South African Schools Act. reformed education system Promoted equal access for all races B anned discrimination Led to establishment of no-fee schools in 2004 Benefits rural poor areas. National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Expanded by 1991. For those who wanted to pursue higher education that couldn't financially. ○ Health Reforms 1994 National Health Act Aimed at providing universal health care access. Also addressed inequalities in these services. Program to stop AIDS. ○ Policies affecting minorities The 1996 Constitution guarantees rights of minorities. Religious and cultural rights. Affirmative actions policies Employment Equity Act 1998 ○ Address inequalities caused by Apartheid. ○ Policies affecting women 1993 Domestic VIolence Act. Protected Women from abuse. Allowed them to seek legal attention for domestic abuse. Women’s Budget Initiative, 1997 Directed funding towards projects that would benefits women ○ Healthcare and education programs. Improvements in Women’s rights Protecting from gender-based violence. The extent to which citizens benefit from those policies ○ RDP Aimed to address the inequalities of the past Improving housing, education, and healthcare Millions of houses were built under the program. Grants for social welfare were expanded. Those previously disadvantaged benefited. With stuff like social grants, education reforms High unemployment rates, poverty were still issues that suggest that this did not reach all citizens. Cultural impact ○ Adopted new flag and national anthem Consisted of the old and new ○ South African Heritage Resources Agency (199) helped to protect and promote South Africa's diverse cultural heritage. ○ Language, arts and culture 11 languages as in its constitution. Part of an effort to embrace diversity National Arts Council (NAC) 1997. Provided funding to support art initiatives Created a growth in post apartheid art in varying mediums. Media and freedom of expression ○ 1996 Broadcasting ACT created the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. To promote a free and diverse media sector. Promotion of Access to information Act (2000) allowed citizens to access government held information ○ To shift from secrecy to open information. Now one of the freest media environments. Challenge include ○ Ongoing debates about media censorships. Questions: 1.) To what extent did the policies of the ANC, COSATU, and other political organizations contribute to the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic South Africa? - rmed resistance weakened the state A - COSATU played a role in organized strikes, protests, and mobilizing masses. - The United Democratic Front (UDF) led non-violent protests. Appealed to international - International sanctions: Helped to pressure South Africa Politically and economically - Negotiations: ANC shift to negotiations helped to create a peaceful transition in the 90s. 2.) How did the leadership of Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, and F.W. de Klerk shape the political transformation of South Africa from 1976 to 2009? - andela: Leadership. Advocated for anti-apartheid. Was the first black president, M symbolized peace - Biko: Founder of Black Consciousness. Inspired anti-apartheid moments, and empower black youth - De Klerk: Last apartheid president. Initiated negotiations that ended apartheid. - Biko legacy: black pride left an impact on self-resilience. 3.) Assess the significance of the 1996 Constitution in shaping post-apartheid South Africa’s political and social landscape. - uman rights protections: included freedom of speech, assembly, and equality. H - Political Inclusivity: Allowed multi-party democracy. Guaranteeing representation for all races and groups. - Social justices: Addressed economic problems. - Land reform: provided framework for land redistribution. - Was slow however. - Became a cornerstone of reconciliation and unity. 4.) To what extent did the economic and social policies of the post-apartheid government (such as the RDP, GEAR, and land reform) succeed in addressing the inequalities of apartheid-era South Africa? - RPD (1994): Focused on basic needs - Housing, water, electricity - Focused on the underfunded - GEAR (1996): - Economic growth. - Market-Oriented policies. - Failed to reduce unemployment - Land Reform: - Land distribution - Slow and inefficient - Left many landless - Social Welfare Expansion: - Increased social grants and pensions - Benefited millions of poor south africans. - Economic Inequality: - Growth did not reduce wealth inequality or unemployment 5.) Evaluate the role of external factors, such as international sanctions and the end of the Cold War, in influencing the transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa. - 6.) How successful were the policies of national reconciliation, such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in fostering social cohesion and healing the wounds of apartheid in post-1994 South Africa? - RC: Provided platform for victims. Fostering healing T - National Unity Mandela's call for reconciliation helped prevent civil war. - Forested peace - Limitations of TRC: - Some victims felt TRC did not achieve enough justice for what happened. - Psych healing: TRC played a role in addressing trauma. - Helped to avoid a violent transition. 7.) To what extent did South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994 succeed in addressing the political, economic, and social challenges facing the country in the decades following apartheid? - 8.) Analyze the impact of the post-apartheid government’s policies on women, minorities, and marginalized groups between 1994 and 2009. - 9.) To what extent did the media and freedom of expression in post-apartheid South Africa contribute to the consolidation of democracy? - 10.) Assess the long-term impact of the ANC’s leadership on the development of South Africa’s democratic institutions and social policies between 1994 and 2009. -
