| ID | 153910 |
| Title Proper | Evolution of South Africa's democracy promotion in Africa |
| Other Title Information | from idealism to pragmatism |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Khadiagala, Gilbert M ; Nganje, Fritz |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | South Africa is an emerging power with fairly strong democratic institutions that were crafted during the transition from minority to majority rule twenty years ago. How has South Africa used its position and power to promote democracy in Africa? Against the backdrop of debates on democracy promotion by emerging powers, this article probes attempts by successive post-apartheid governments to promote democracy in Africa. We argue that although democracy promotion featured prominently in South Africa's policy towards Africa in the immediate post-apartheid period under Nelson Mandela, the administrations of Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma faltered in advancing democratic norms. This is largely because South Africa has confronted pressures to maximize pragmatic national interests, which have compromised a democratic ethos in a continental environment where these values have yet to find steady footing. |
| `In' analytical Note | Cambridge Review of International Affairs Vol. 29, No.4; Dec 2016: p.1561-1581 |
| Journal Source | Cambridge Review of International Affairs Vol: 29 No 4 |
| Key Words | Idealism ; Africa ; South Africa ; Pragmatism ; Democracy Promotion ; Jacob Zuma ; Thabo Mbeki |