South African Power Groups Essay -- History, South Africas Revolution

Efforts to Address the Problem sulphur Africas revolution was unique because it was neither an elite-imposed transition nor a classical revolution. some analysts were surprised that a classical revolution hadnt occurred sometime in the 1980s (Marx, 1997, 476-479). It is likely that there wasnt a classical revolution because the military machine was still loyal to the dominant white group. Furthermore, whites controlled nearly all of the economic power, and as a result, blacks needed the white structure to stay in maculation to continue lest the economy crumble (p. 478). But, mounting pressure from citizens, a steadily weakening economy, and the international community caused the Afrikaners to reevaluate their position. An elite-imposed transition didnt occur because the citizens of reciprocal ohm Africa had mobilized to in like manner great of an extent. The Afrikaners realized that a negotiated settlement was the only option if they didnt want to face a thorough-going revolutio n (p. 478). This negotiation process wasnt particularly effective though. It was initially assumed that such a tactic would result in peaceful negotiations similar to those of Brazil (p. 479-480). The ANC promised to end the guerrilla hysteria that was causing thousands of people to die each year once the negotiations started (p. 481-482). Unfortunately, the perception that violence could enhance negotiating positions quickly grew, and by 1992 South Africa had become, one of the most red-faced countries in the world (p. 483). This violence lead to a situation in which winner take all amendments to the constitution were rejected as being too inflammatory (p. 483). Clearly, this slowed down the process of integration. There are simply some parts of Apartheid that needed to be elimin... ...stricts 87% of the population to just 13% of the land. Overcrowding and a lack of infrastructure remain problems (Mochaki, 1995).Nevertheless, this was one of the more successful programs of the p ost-apartheid era. It helped to include those groups that had traditionally been displaced by making them citizens of South Africa again. In addition, it gave millions of people voting rights allowed them to inscribe in a governing body for the first time in ages. If any change is going to be made, it must include, at the very least, gossip from the group it is trying to help. Not only did the abolition of homelands do that, but it allowed blacks and the other subjugated minorities access to governmental offices previously reserved for the white citizens of South Africa. Furthermore, abolishing homelands could become an important symbol for the anti-apartheid movement.