The African National Congress' changing relationship with liberal democracy.
Date
2007-02-23T11:52:29Z
Authors
Brooks, Heidi
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Abstract
This dissertation traces the changing relationship of the ANC with liberal democracy
from the party's inception to the present, and analyses the various influences upon,
and shifts within, the ANC's thinking with regard to liberal democracy over this
period. The paper argues that the years between 1987 and 1994 represented a critical
and dramatic shift in the ANC's relationship with liberal democratic values in which it
came to openly state its acceptance of institutionalised pluralism and rights. It also
argues, however, that despite the momentous and extremely valuable nature of these
commitments for the consolidation of liberal democracy in South Africa, there remain
suggestions within the language and discourse of the ANC that are problematic for its
full realisation, the essence of which lies in the ANC's own understanding and
interpretation of the meaning of liberal democracy
Description
Student Number : 0510823J -
MA research report -
School of Social Sciences -
Faculty of Humanities
Keywords
changing relationship, ANC, liberal democracy, 1987, 1994, institutionalised pluralism, rights