Generals and the crisis of white power in south africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Generals and the crisis of white power in south africa
Author:	Vale, P.
Year:	1988
Periodical:	Vierteljahres-Berichte: Probleme der internationalen Zusammenarbeit
Issue:	112
Pages:	171-185
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	national security civil-military relations
Abstract:	Repression has always been an integral part of the policy to maintain white minority power in South Africa. Accordingly, the commanders of the security forces have always exercised a certain political influence. The only exception was the period from 1948 to 1978. Since President Botha has come to power, South African politics have witnessed an increased militarization and a loss of democracy. However, the use of physical force - internally and against neighbouring States - narrows the number of political options for a peaceful settlement in a situation that is untenable in the long term. This is because stability maintained by the use of force strengthens the determination of the white population to hold out. There is no longer an acceptable black negotiating partner, because the military elite which determines the country's politics on principle does not accept resistance. Notes, ref., sum. also in German (p. 93) and French (p. 100).