Assessing the quality of democracy in South Africa, 1999-2012
- Authors: Graham, Victoria Louise
- Date: 2013-04-10
- Subjects: Democracy - South Africa , South Africa - Politics and government, 1994-
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7435 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8293
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. (Politics) , In recent years, growing concerns over the strength of South Africa’s democracy appear to indicate a population increasingly disillusioned and dissatisfied with the quality of its implementation. The overall purpose of this study was to assess the quality of democracy in South Africa after 17 years of democracy and in so doing, to ascertain whether or not this growing perception is valid. The study is essentially an audit of South Africa’s democracy (with a personally derived method of scoring included) and utilises two existing analytical frameworks of democracy assessment, International IDEA’s State of Democracy framework and Leonardo Morlino’s tool for empirical research on democratic qualities, TODEM. The strengths of these two international frameworks are adapted to be applicable specifically to an assessment of South Africa’s democracy. The assessment is based on an analysis of primary and secondary literature and is informed by formal personal interviews and informal personal discussions with identified experts in the various democratic dimensions under assessment. Personal scoring is then based on the qualitative information derived together with the input from these experts which points to shortcomings, deficiencies, achievements and successes in South Africa’s democracy. A definition of democracy is identified followed by four pillars of democracy assessment against which to evaluate South Africa’s democracy: the rule of law and institutional capacity; representative and accountable government; civil society and popular participation; and freedom and equality. Within each pillar, several dimensions are identified, which in turn, comprise several indicators. Overarching considerations are borne in mind throughout the assessment as well as guiding questions that narrow the focus. In terms of the overall categorisation of quality democracy used in the study, that is, ‘low’ (very low presence and application of indicators in general - inefficient democracy); ‘low to medium’(low presence and application of indicators in some of the dimensions but some signs of efficiency in one or more of the other dimensions); ‘medium’ (indicators are present and applied for the most part; possible inertia must be avoided in favour of vigorous and conscientious action to improve on significant problem areas); ‘medium to high’ (indicators are present in most dimensions and are effectively guaranteed in practice barring a few problems); and ‘high’ (indicators are strongly present and fully applied across all dimensions – indicative of a robust, healthy democracy), it was found that South Africa places at the high end of ‘medium’ quality democracy - a positive finding especially given that only 17 years have transpired since the country’s democratisation. This means, therefore, that despite problems, indicators of quality democracy are present for the most part in most dimensions and are effectively guaranteed in practice. Several of the most notable are, namely: consistently free and fair elections; a strong rule of law and independent judiciary; significantly improved participation of women in political life; a dynamic civil society; comprehensive civil and political rights; and a vigilant media actively engaged in its watchdog role. However, where problems do remain, it is essentially as a result of a lack of effective implementation of existing procedural elements. The areas in which South Africa has performed the worst thus far and which therefore present the most challenges in need of improvement are with regard to poor levels of individual security; high levels of corruption, negative effects of cadre deployment; continued existence of discrimination, spreading poverty and inequality; and lack of efficient governance at local level in particular. It is evident that the government must build on the successes achieved and take vigorous action to improve on the identified problem areas in order to continue to strengthen the quality of South Africa’s democracy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Graham, Victoria Louise
- Date: 2013-04-10
- Subjects: Democracy - South Africa , South Africa - Politics and government, 1994-
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7435 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8293
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. (Politics) , In recent years, growing concerns over the strength of South Africa’s democracy appear to indicate a population increasingly disillusioned and dissatisfied with the quality of its implementation. The overall purpose of this study was to assess the quality of democracy in South Africa after 17 years of democracy and in so doing, to ascertain whether or not this growing perception is valid. The study is essentially an audit of South Africa’s democracy (with a personally derived method of scoring included) and utilises two existing analytical frameworks of democracy assessment, International IDEA’s State of Democracy framework and Leonardo Morlino’s tool for empirical research on democratic qualities, TODEM. The strengths of these two international frameworks are adapted to be applicable specifically to an assessment of South Africa’s democracy. The assessment is based on an analysis of primary and secondary literature and is informed by formal personal interviews and informal personal discussions with identified experts in the various democratic dimensions under assessment. Personal scoring is then based on the qualitative information derived together with the input from these experts which points to shortcomings, deficiencies, achievements and successes in South Africa’s democracy. A definition of democracy is identified followed by four pillars of democracy assessment against which to evaluate South Africa’s democracy: the rule of law and institutional capacity; representative and accountable government; civil society and popular participation; and freedom and equality. Within each pillar, several dimensions are identified, which in turn, comprise several indicators. Overarching considerations are borne in mind throughout the assessment as well as guiding questions that narrow the focus. In terms of the overall categorisation of quality democracy used in the study, that is, ‘low’ (very low presence and application of indicators in general - inefficient democracy); ‘low to medium’(low presence and application of indicators in some of the dimensions but some signs of efficiency in one or more of the other dimensions); ‘medium’ (indicators are present and applied for the most part; possible inertia must be avoided in favour of vigorous and conscientious action to improve on significant problem areas); ‘medium to high’ (indicators are present in most dimensions and are effectively guaranteed in practice barring a few problems); and ‘high’ (indicators are strongly present and fully applied across all dimensions – indicative of a robust, healthy democracy), it was found that South Africa places at the high end of ‘medium’ quality democracy - a positive finding especially given that only 17 years have transpired since the country’s democratisation. This means, therefore, that despite problems, indicators of quality democracy are present for the most part in most dimensions and are effectively guaranteed in practice. Several of the most notable are, namely: consistently free and fair elections; a strong rule of law and independent judiciary; significantly improved participation of women in political life; a dynamic civil society; comprehensive civil and political rights; and a vigilant media actively engaged in its watchdog role. However, where problems do remain, it is essentially as a result of a lack of effective implementation of existing procedural elements. The areas in which South Africa has performed the worst thus far and which therefore present the most challenges in need of improvement are with regard to poor levels of individual security; high levels of corruption, negative effects of cadre deployment; continued existence of discrimination, spreading poverty and inequality; and lack of efficient governance at local level in particular. It is evident that the government must build on the successes achieved and take vigorous action to improve on the identified problem areas in order to continue to strengthen the quality of South Africa’s democracy.
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Nie-diskriminasie en gelykheid as demokratiese beginsels en die skool
- Bouwer, Petrus Cornelis Frederik
- Authors: Bouwer, Petrus Cornelis Frederik
- Date: 2014-11-19
- Subjects: Educational equalization - South Africa , Democracy - South Africa , Politics and education - South Africa , Educational change - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12925 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12813
- Description: M.Ed. (Psychology of Education) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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- Authors: Bouwer, Petrus Cornelis Frederik
- Date: 2014-11-19
- Subjects: Educational equalization - South Africa , Democracy - South Africa , Politics and education - South Africa , Educational change - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12925 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12813
- Description: M.Ed. (Psychology of Education) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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Public Lecture: Minister Pravin Gordhan on 20 Years of Democracy
- Authors: Modise, Theodorah
- Date: 2014-10-29
- Subjects: Gordhan, Pravin , Democracy - South Africa , Friedman, Steven, Prof. , Maluleke, Tinyiko, Prof.
- Type: Other
- Identifier: uj:1120 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12589
- Description: Minister Pravin Gordhan gave a public lecture on 20 years of Democracy in South Africa. The discussion was facilitated by Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Internationalisation Advancement and Student Affairs, University of Johannesburg and Prof. Steven Friedman – Director: Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Johannesburg. Youtube link for the discussion: Public Conversation with The Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan http://youtu.be/whU7fABpSt8
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Modise, Theodorah
- Date: 2014-10-29
- Subjects: Gordhan, Pravin , Democracy - South Africa , Friedman, Steven, Prof. , Maluleke, Tinyiko, Prof.
- Type: Other
- Identifier: uj:1120 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12589
- Description: Minister Pravin Gordhan gave a public lecture on 20 years of Democracy in South Africa. The discussion was facilitated by Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Internationalisation Advancement and Student Affairs, University of Johannesburg and Prof. Steven Friedman – Director: Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Johannesburg. Youtube link for the discussion: Public Conversation with The Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan http://youtu.be/whU7fABpSt8
- Full Text: false
Some thoughts on the search for just and democratic schools in South Africa
- Authors: Pretorius, Gertie
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Education - South Africa , Democracy - South Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5442 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13000
- Description: This article posits an intervention in the education system which integrates the theories of justice as fairness and deliberative democracy. The aim is to honour every child's right to learn in freedom, and to ensure that every child becomes a responsible and democratic South African citizen. The education system and the schools in that system are described as a workplace where adults and children can work together as educators and learners towards achieving the goal of justice by practising the principles of democracy. This includes the author's conception of the constructs of ubuntu, solidarity, and an existential awareness of interrelationships. In addition the author explicates her conceptions of justice and democracy and argues that a circular relationship between these concepts exists that is relevant to the South Africa context. Secondly, the author attempts to search for justice and democracy in South African schools. This goal is achieved through portraying the unjust and undemocratic current scenario in South African schools. In response to this scenario, the intervention provides a vision of hope for just and democratic schools in South Africa.
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- Authors: Pretorius, Gertie
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Education - South Africa , Democracy - South Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5442 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13000
- Description: This article posits an intervention in the education system which integrates the theories of justice as fairness and deliberative democracy. The aim is to honour every child's right to learn in freedom, and to ensure that every child becomes a responsible and democratic South African citizen. The education system and the schools in that system are described as a workplace where adults and children can work together as educators and learners towards achieving the goal of justice by practising the principles of democracy. This includes the author's conception of the constructs of ubuntu, solidarity, and an existential awareness of interrelationships. In addition the author explicates her conceptions of justice and democracy and argues that a circular relationship between these concepts exists that is relevant to the South Africa context. Secondly, the author attempts to search for justice and democracy in South African schools. This goal is achieved through portraying the unjust and undemocratic current scenario in South African schools. In response to this scenario, the intervention provides a vision of hope for just and democratic schools in South Africa.
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Taking democracy seriously: worker survey
- SWOP
- Authors: SWOP
- Date: March 2004
- Subjects: Worker survey - South Africa , Community Agency for Social Enquiry - South Africa , Democracy - South Africa
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/414410 , uj:34950
- Full Text:
- Authors: SWOP
- Date: March 2004
- Subjects: Worker survey - South Africa , Community Agency for Social Enquiry - South Africa , Democracy - South Africa
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/414410 , uj:34950
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The politics of constitutionalism in South Africa : institutions supporting democracy
- Tsoeu-Ntokoane, Seroala Rose
- Authors: Tsoeu-Ntokoane, Seroala Rose
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Democracy - South Africa , Human rights - South Africa , Political participation - South Africa , Constitutions - South Africa , South Africa - Ethnic relations , South Africa - Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/84566 , uj:19236
- Description: Abstract: This thesis on the politics of constitutionalism is a broad prognosis on state institutions supporting democracy in South Africa. Empowered by the country's supreme law, the chapter 9 institutions are essential elements of the country's rights infused constitutional democracy. This study employed a qualitative research design to make sense of a wide variety of secondary data sources on selected cases of Chapter 9 institutions: the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRCRL). The research design used is decidedly qualitative, with the express intention of understanding unique interactions that formed these institutions' creation and their current performance. The study's primary premise is that the constitutional form of government in South Africa and the institutional arrangements it has spawned are bound up in a legitimatising and symbiotic continuum. However, these institutions have not actualised the purpose for which they were set up but are experiencing ongoing performance problems. In this thesis, I have argued that the problem with these institutions originates from their founding. They are products of the country's fractious history, internationally driven human rights discourse and also the negotiated settlement. Seeing these institutions this way allows for a wider reading of constitutions as more than rule-bound documents, but as empowering certain institutional forms over others. In this way we can understand why Chapter 9 institutions were created and the effect they have had in realising desired outcomes of the democratic government. Having found these institutions to be underwhelming in terms of their performance, necessary questions have been asked of their relevance to the current political environment. Logically capacitating them may seem to be a panacea for their problems. Government support in terms of funding is essential as much as political will to support and respect the work these institutions do on a continuous basis. Similarly, these institutions have to perform, they have to actually do the job for which they were created, they should strive to be accessible and public support of their function will naturally follow.... , D. Litt. et Phil. (Politics)
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- Authors: Tsoeu-Ntokoane, Seroala Rose
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Democracy - South Africa , Human rights - South Africa , Political participation - South Africa , Constitutions - South Africa , South Africa - Ethnic relations , South Africa - Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/84566 , uj:19236
- Description: Abstract: This thesis on the politics of constitutionalism is a broad prognosis on state institutions supporting democracy in South Africa. Empowered by the country's supreme law, the chapter 9 institutions are essential elements of the country's rights infused constitutional democracy. This study employed a qualitative research design to make sense of a wide variety of secondary data sources on selected cases of Chapter 9 institutions: the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRCRL). The research design used is decidedly qualitative, with the express intention of understanding unique interactions that formed these institutions' creation and their current performance. The study's primary premise is that the constitutional form of government in South Africa and the institutional arrangements it has spawned are bound up in a legitimatising and symbiotic continuum. However, these institutions have not actualised the purpose for which they were set up but are experiencing ongoing performance problems. In this thesis, I have argued that the problem with these institutions originates from their founding. They are products of the country's fractious history, internationally driven human rights discourse and also the negotiated settlement. Seeing these institutions this way allows for a wider reading of constitutions as more than rule-bound documents, but as empowering certain institutional forms over others. In this way we can understand why Chapter 9 institutions were created and the effect they have had in realising desired outcomes of the democratic government. Having found these institutions to be underwhelming in terms of their performance, necessary questions have been asked of their relevance to the current political environment. Logically capacitating them may seem to be a panacea for their problems. Government support in terms of funding is essential as much as political will to support and respect the work these institutions do on a continuous basis. Similarly, these institutions have to perform, they have to actually do the job for which they were created, they should strive to be accessible and public support of their function will naturally follow.... , D. Litt. et Phil. (Politics)
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The role of the Public Protector in promoting democratic governance
- Authors: Cleophas, Letsiri
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: South Africa. Office of the Public Protector , Democracy - South Africa , Government accountability - South Africa , Ombudspersons - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/403241 , uj:33780
- Description: Abstract : The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the nature of the role of the Public Protector in promoting democratic governance. The Office of the Public Protector is one of the institutions that constitutes the Chapter 9 institutions (State Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996. This study is intended to strengthen academic discourse for the continued support of the Office of the Public Protector as an independent functionary to advance accountability. The enquiry is premised on the concept of democratic good governance, which aims to hold the government accountable for its actions and/or omissions. The apathy of the South African public, who has generally remained silent amidst the scathing attacks directed at the Public Protector, prompted this study to carefully pose the following dual primary research question: What is the role and challenges of the Public Protector as an independent Chapter 9 institution, and do the remedial actions of the Public Protector contribute to the implementation of good governance in the South African constitutional democracy? The methodology entailed a desktop analysis of literature and official documents to conceptualise the area of investigation. The data-collection sources for the desktop analysis also included global authoritative books, articles, court findings, and regulatory, policy, and strategy documents. The generated information was scrutinised through a process of intellectual analysis, categorisation, classification, integration, reflection, comparison, and synthesis. The approach was qualitative and included specific dimensions of unobtrusive research techniques to eliminate bias and to promote conceptual and contextual analyses. The emphasis of this thesis is the functioning, problems, challenges, pressures, and the power of the remedial recommendations and actions of the Office of the Public Protector in South Africa within its constituent structures and statutory parameters. The Public Protector functions cooperatively with all other institutions whose mandate it is to promote good governance, which includes the legislature, independent judiciary, and the other Chapter 9 institutions. Oversight institutions have a collective responsibility to ensure the promotion of good governance and to enhance democracy in South Africa. As a result of the interdependence of all levels of government, any discussion of constitutional mandates will inevitably touch on iv certain matters that will affect not only the other government levels in general but the total legislative and policy effort in particular. , D.Phil. (Public Management and Governance)
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- Authors: Cleophas, Letsiri
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: South Africa. Office of the Public Protector , Democracy - South Africa , Government accountability - South Africa , Ombudspersons - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/403241 , uj:33780
- Description: Abstract : The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the nature of the role of the Public Protector in promoting democratic governance. The Office of the Public Protector is one of the institutions that constitutes the Chapter 9 institutions (State Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996. This study is intended to strengthen academic discourse for the continued support of the Office of the Public Protector as an independent functionary to advance accountability. The enquiry is premised on the concept of democratic good governance, which aims to hold the government accountable for its actions and/or omissions. The apathy of the South African public, who has generally remained silent amidst the scathing attacks directed at the Public Protector, prompted this study to carefully pose the following dual primary research question: What is the role and challenges of the Public Protector as an independent Chapter 9 institution, and do the remedial actions of the Public Protector contribute to the implementation of good governance in the South African constitutional democracy? The methodology entailed a desktop analysis of literature and official documents to conceptualise the area of investigation. The data-collection sources for the desktop analysis also included global authoritative books, articles, court findings, and regulatory, policy, and strategy documents. The generated information was scrutinised through a process of intellectual analysis, categorisation, classification, integration, reflection, comparison, and synthesis. The approach was qualitative and included specific dimensions of unobtrusive research techniques to eliminate bias and to promote conceptual and contextual analyses. The emphasis of this thesis is the functioning, problems, challenges, pressures, and the power of the remedial recommendations and actions of the Office of the Public Protector in South Africa within its constituent structures and statutory parameters. The Public Protector functions cooperatively with all other institutions whose mandate it is to promote good governance, which includes the legislature, independent judiciary, and the other Chapter 9 institutions. Oversight institutions have a collective responsibility to ensure the promotion of good governance and to enhance democracy in South Africa. As a result of the interdependence of all levels of government, any discussion of constitutional mandates will inevitably touch on iv certain matters that will affect not only the other government levels in general but the total legislative and policy effort in particular. , D.Phil. (Public Management and Governance)
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