The Born Frees as Assertive Citizens? Student Protests and Democratic Prospects in South Africa

• Authors: Kusá Dagmar
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Massive student protests in South Africa in the past few years, largest since the times of the anti-apartheid struggles, raised several questions for political scientists. Are we witnessing a generational change? Or are they a sign of a broader global shift towards “assertive citizenship” present in advanced democracies and democratizing countries? To answer these questions, this paper examines the levels of political support and nature of political participation among the young generation. The paper also points out that generational change is not immediately visible in public opinion polls but is a process of a gradual narrative construction. Protests brought with them a challenge to the founding narrative of a united Rainbow Nation and reconciliation with the past, leading to a fracture in democratic stability. For the democratic project to succeed, it is essential that the national project in South Africa does not fall apart.

Keywords

EN

South Africa; post-apartheid; political participation; political support; identity; generational change; transition

• Publisher: Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek
• Journal: Polish Political Science Yearbook
• Year: 2018
• Volume: 4 (47)
• Pages: 722-741

Contributors

author

Kusá Dagmar

• Bratislava International School of Liberal Arts

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