After the initial euphoria attending the initial downfall of South Africa's apartheid regime, it became evident that there remained major structural and socio-economic limits to true equality, limits that perhaps could not be addressed by the South African constitution's relatively progressive provisions. In this collection, Robins (social anthropology, U. of Stellenbosch, South Africa) presents 12 papers that explore different aspects of this dilemma. The collections broad themes include the investigation of the prospects for liberal democracy in a context of cultural differentiation, marginalization, and contestation between liberal democracy and perhaps incompatible cultural claims; current debates on neo-liberalism as related to issues of citizenship and governance in post-apartheid urban spaces; and post-apartheid cultural experiences of migration/nomadism, gendered identities, constructions of urban "colored" identities, and contestations of apartheid and global modernities. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Post-apartheid South Africa has been characterized by race tensions, social inequalities, and unemployment that are contributing to widespread crises. In addressing the transition to democracy, Limits to Liberation examines issues of culture and identity, drawing attention to the creative agency of citizens of the “new” South Africa. The writers question the classical western model of citizenship and procedural democracy in the face of the inability of most African states to provide basic needs. Their bold, interdisciplinary inquiry contributes to South African and international scholarship on urban planning, governance, and citizenship.
Post-apartheid South Africa has been characterized by race tensions, social inequalities, and unemployment that are contributing to widespread crises. In addressing the transition to democracy, Limits to Liberation examines issues of culture and identity, drawing attention to the creative agency of citizens of the “new” South Africa. The writers question the classical western model of citizenship and procedural democracy in the face of the inability of most African states to provide basic needs. Their bold, interdisciplinary inquiry contributes to South African and international scholarship on urban planning, governance, and citizenship.ABOUT THE AUTHOR---Steven L. Robins is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
