Overview

A wide-ranging introduction to the social, political, cultural and economic life of South Africa. Updated throughout, the new edition considers the particular challenges of the early 21st century: unemployment, education, crime, a maturing HIV/AIDS epidemic and South Africa's complex international relations within sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

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9780230217676

Table of Contents

Reviews

Endorsements of 1st edition: 'This timely book fills an important gap: a reliable, intelligent and accessible introduction to contemporary South Africa. The country's history of colonialism, segregation and apartheid left deep scars on the society; the 'rainbow' euphoria of the first democratic election in 1994 has been succeeded by more pragmatic politics; and South Africa faces crucial issues such as deep-seated poverty, soaring unemployment and the AIDS pandemic. Butler is a sure-footed guide across complex terrain; he is particularly deft in summarising hotly contested debates around social policy, economic development, and how race and class pattern South African life in the twenty-first century.' - Professor Colin Bundy, Director, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK 'This concise but penetrating work is informed by the state-of-the-art literature on South African politics, economics, and history. It will be useful for graduate and undergraduate courses on comparative politics but will also appeal to the general reader. I recommend it strongly.' - Professor Ian Shapiro, Yale University, USA 'This is an important book for anyone interested in South Africa's political transformation. It is essential reading for students of political science and for a wider readership interested in democratisation in developing societies.' - Professor Hans Keman, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Editor of the European Journal of Political Research 'Anthony Butler has delivered a lucid and comprehensive account of the main currents in contemporary South African affairs. He reaches balanced conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of this 'rainbow nation's' new order. Readers who seek an informed, reliable and up-to-date overview need look no further.' - Professor Michael Bratton, Michigan State University, USA '... [A] solid guide... [it] is bang up to date... [and] is an excellent guide to South Africa today.' - Stephen Ellis, Afrika Studie Centrum Lieden and VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Endorsements of 1st edition: 'This timely book fills an important gap: a reliable, intelligent and accessible introduction to contemporary South Africa. The country's history of colonialism, segregation and apartheid left deep scars on the society; the 'rainbow' euphoria of the first democratic election in 1994 has been succeeded by more pragmatic politics; and South Africa faces crucial issues such as deep-seated poverty, soaring unemployment and the AIDS pandemic. Butler is a sure-footed guide across complex terrain; he is particularly deft in summarising hotly contested debates around social policy, economic development, and how race and class pattern South African life in the twenty-first century.' - Professor Colin Bundy, Director, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK 'This concise but penetrating work is informed by the state-of-the-art literature on South African politics, economics, and history. It will be useful for graduate and undergraduate courses on comparative politics but will also appeal to the general reader. I recommend it strongly.' - Professor Ian Shapiro, Yale University, USA 'This is an important book for anyone interested in South Africa's political transformation. It is essential reading for students of political science and for a wider readership interested in democratisation in developing societies.' - Professor Hans Keman, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Editor of the European Journal of Political Research 'Anthony Butler has delivered a lucid and comprehensive account of the main currents in contemporary South African affairs. He reaches balanced conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of this 'rainbow nation's' new order. Readers who seek an informed, reliable and up-to-date overview need look no further.' - Professor Michael Bratton, Michigan State University, USA

Author Information

ANTHONY BUTLER is Professor of Political Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is a former fellow of Emmanuel College at the University of Cambridge and a past Director of the Politics and Administration programme at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is author of four books, most recently Cyril Ramaphosa (Jacana and James Currey, 2008).

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