Democracy in South Africa

Research Proposal # 117709

Political Science > Non-U.S.

A study proposal to examine how democracy is being implemented in South Africa jointly by persuasion of Human Rights Day and Day of Reconciliation.

1,025 words () | 21 sources | MLA | 2009 | United States

Published on: Dec 16, 2009

Paper Summary:

This paper proposes a study to examine how Human Rights Day and Day of Reconciliation play an integral role in putting into practice democracy in South Africa. The issues of the events that occurred and the change towards policy in dealing with inequality in regards to human rights are also examined. The research proposed, with references in support of the thesis, delves into how bearing witness has been of great importance to the development of democracy in South Africa, as one source used is Fiona C. Ross' "Bearing Witness" (2003) in which various women are interviewed on their opinions of the reconciliation commission in South Africa.

From the Paper:

"Therefore, in the course of this research project the elections held in 1994 will play a major part of the issues of democracy in South Africa as well as furthering the development of democracy in areas other than elections such as programs in the country to reinforce the idea of equality such as Human Rights Day and the Day of Reconciliation and these two days aid in giving a new definition to South Africa about tolerance through public celebration and recognition. In view of the election, as is stated by Butler, "The South African election was fascinating in part because it seemed to be an exercise of direct collective assertion, an instrument of unambiguous collective choice" (175). Thus, the focus on election will be an instrument of choice."

Sample of Sources Used:

Alexander, Neville. An Ordianary Country: Issues in the transition from apartheid to democracy in South Afircia .NY: Berghahn Books, 2003.
Bell, Terry. Unfinished Business. NY: Verso, 2003.
Bever, Edward. Africa: International Government and politics series. AZ: Oryx Press, 1996.
Butler, Anthony. Democracy and Apartheid: Political theory, comparative politics and the modern South African State. New York: St. Martin's Press, Inc., 1998.
Daye, Russell. Political Forgiveness: Lessons from South Africa. New York: Orbis Books, 2004.