South Africa Flashcards
Pre colonial South Africa
Many different well developed state like entities like the Zulu kingdom and Khoisan people (2000 BC)
17th -19th century = colonization
1814 cape colony becomes British
II. Arrival of Dutch settlers and settlement of the Cape of Good Hope region has a supply colony
on their way to Indonesia - “Boers” (1652);
III. Dutch arrive at (1652);
IV. Cape Town is taken over by the British and they take over the absolution of slavery (1795);
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|—> Boers move Eastward and establish the Boer Republic - “Great Trek” (1835) causing lots of war/disagreements
Last for several decades and are self governing
Boer wars and union
1880-1881 first boer war -> brits defeated by boer republics
1899-1902 second boer war -> brits are more powerful, guerrilla tactics and scare tactics like concentration camps
Boer republics become part of the empire
1910 union of south Africa
- ANC founded in 1912
* 1926 independence from UK and discrimination in former boer territories continued
Namibia became independent from SA after 1990
Apartheid regime 1948-1994
1948 national party starts apartheid
* Racial segregation, 4 different race groups
1960 Sharpeville massacre
* Peaceful protest by black people was neergeslagen met massacre
Very violent regime
After a time violent resistance against the regime
X. The National Party starts apartheid (1948);
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|—> Population registration and group areas act (1950);
|—> Separate representation of voters act (1951);
|—> Only whites (10-20% of the population) have political rights;
|—> Formally democratic institutions;
|—> Politics dominated by National Party;
1963 Rivonia trial -> Mandela incarcerated
Apartheid political system
1950 population registration and group areas act
* Determined areas where people could live, and segregation of people into 4 races
1951 only whites could vote after separate representation of voters act
1983 third south African constitution
* 3 chambers
Apartheid core features
- Only whites, 10-20% of population have political and human rights
- Classified as competitive oligarchy Dahl 1971
o There is competition, not mass participation - Nominally democratic institutions
- Parliamentary system with ceremonial president
- Politics dominated by national party
The Bantustans
So-called homelands for the black cultures the government identified
For 80% of people, but compromised of less than 10% of land
Often dry land, not really nice
1990s end of apartheid
SA was ally of western powers
* So western powers tolerated apartheid
End of cold war -> SA alliance was no longer needed so western countries and pol. Parties could condemn and criticize apartheid
1980s/1990s SA became isolated on world stage, resulting in stagnating economy, embargo’s on SA so apartheid was no longer viable
* Apartheid ministers, presidents and politicians started reforms
1990 Mandela freed form prison
1993 adoption of interim constitution
1994 first democratic elections
A new settlement
1996 truth and reconciliation commission established (TRC)
* Acknowledge and heal the nation
1996 new constitution adopted (drafted by ANC and NP)
Apartheid political system modified and extended
Mandela incorporated whites into his party
Most apartheid institutions remained in place
Mass suffrage is main change
1994-1997 government of national unity (ANC, NP, IFP)
* Only lasted 3 years
Cleavages race and religion
Apartheid, four official races
10 Bantustans -> Within black population, there are ethnic and linguistic differences
White divisions and black divisions
11 official languages
Rainbow nation?
Cleavages race
- Apartheid between 4 different races;
- White divisions between Afrikaans/English;
- Black divisions between more than 11 ethnic groups;
- 11 official languages;
- Called the Rainbow Nation by Nelson Mandela;
1996 settlement
Liberal vs majoritarian notions of democracy
Lijphart “clearly a consociational democracy”
Debate position of
* Presidency (rotating or not)
* Bicameralism (strong or weak)
* Electoral system (PR or SMD)
* Grand coalition (government of national unity)
* Power sharing longevity (1 term or longer)
* Decision making within GNU (veto-power)
ANC has won the debate
Hamill “comprehensive victory for a majoritarian political philosophy”
Constitution -mixed republican system
- Supreme law of the land (see Germany)
- Emphasis on minority rights (liberal democracy)
- Strong emphasis on affirmative action
Institutions - mixed republican system
- Parliamentary system with executive presidency
- Directly elected parliament (only lower house)
- President elected by parliament
- Government depends on parliamentary majority
- Decentralized provincial government (but no formal federation)
Parliament = national assembly
400 members, elected for 5 year term
- Elects the president;
- Stronger house - prepares and passes legislation (including the budget);
- Dominated by one party since 1994;
* Can override national council of provinces with 2/3 of support