From Revolution to Rights in South Africa
Summary
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From Revolution to Rights in South Africa by Steven L Robins
Critics of liberalism in Europe and North America argue that a stress on 'rights talk' and identity politics has led to fragmentation, individualisation and depoliticisation. But are these developments really signs of 'the end of politics'? In the post-colonial, post-apartheid, neo-liberal new South Africa poor and marginalised citizens continue to struggle for land, housing and health care. They must respond to uncertainty and radical contingencies on a daily basis. This requires multiple strategies, an engaged, practised citizenship, one that links the daily struggle to well organised mobilisation around claiming rights. Robins argues for the continued importance of NGOs, social movements and other 'civil society' actors in creating new forms of citizenship and democracy. He goes beyond the sanitised prescriptions of 'good governance' so often touted by development agencies. Instead he argues for a complex, hybrid and ambiguous relationship between civil society and the state, where new negotiations around citizenship emerge. Steven L. Robins is Professor of Social Anthropology in the University of Stellenbosch and editor of 'Limits to Liberation after Apartheid' (James Currey) Southern Africa: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press(PB)
A sophisticated and nuanced work* AFRICAN STUDIES REVIEW *
An upbeat analysis of rights-based civic society in contemporary South Africa. * CONTEMPORARY REVIEW *
In this magnificent book, unearthing case studies from academic journals, Robins examines rights-based social movements and the resurgence of the 'traditional' in communal identity politics. Highly recommended. * CHOICE *
This illuminating post-apartheid ethnography deserves close study by anyone concerned with popular politics in the globalising South. Robins freely intersperses high-level social theory with carefully selected case studies and vignettes. * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT *
[...] an important book, setting out as it does a strong argument for rejecting some of the more cynical analyses suggesting an end of politics. Based on some rich empirical case studies it offers some fascinating insights into the post-apartheid dilemmas in South Africa. - -- Ian Scoones, IDS, Sussex
An upbeat analysis of rights-based civic society in contemporary South Africa. * CONTEMPORARY REVIEW *
In this magnificent book, unearthing case studies from academic journals, Robins examines rights-based social movements and the resurgence of the 'traditional' in communal identity politics. Highly recommended. * CHOICE *
This illuminating post-apartheid ethnography deserves close study by anyone concerned with popular politics in the globalising South. Robins freely intersperses high-level social theory with carefully selected case studies and vignettes. * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT *
[...] an important book, setting out as it does a strong argument for rejecting some of the more cynical analyses suggesting an end of politics. Based on some rich empirical case studies it offers some fascinating insights into the post-apartheid dilemmas in South Africa. - -- Ian Scoones, IDS, Sussex
Steven L. Robins is Professor of Sociology in the University of Stellenbosch and editor of Limits to Liberation after Apartheid (James Currey)
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781847012012 |
| ISBN 10 | 1847012019 |
| Title | From Revolution to Rights in South Africa |
| Author | Steven L Robins |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | James Currey |
| Year published | 2010-11-18 |
| Number of pages | 208 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |