Populism and rent-seeking in post-apartheid South Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Populism and rent-seeking in post-apartheid South Africa
Author:	Lingle, C.
Year:	1989
Periodical:	Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies
Volume:	16
Issue:	2
Pages:	5-21
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	future populism
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02589348908704913
Abstract:	Aim of this paper is to investigate an alternative interpretation of the nature and consequences of the vision of the future of South Africa offered by the principal extraparliamentary opposition groups in the country. Departing from a recognition of the historic abuse of group powers in South Africa, the author identifies and examines the economic and political effects of choices made by self-interested (rent-seeking) individuals within a collective or group context. In the run-up to a postapartheid South Africa, many terms and concepts are applied as if they possessed objective, universally accepted definitions. Analysing the Freedom Charter and the draft constitution of the ANC, the author examines the populist and the liberal concepts of democracy. The conclusion is that the populist origins and content of both the Freedom Charter and the ANC's draft constitution present the danger of the unintended continuation of the current authoritarian-type rule and an extension of rent-seeking by individuals and groups. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum.