From Revolution to Rights in South Africa : Social Movements, NGOs and Popular Politics After Apartheid

The author argues for the continued importance of NGOs, social movements and other 'civil society' actors in creating new forms of citizenship and democracy in South Africa. Critics of liberalism in Europe and North America argue that a stress on 'rights talk' and identity politics has led to fragmentation, individualisation and depoliticisation. But are these developments really signs of 'the end ofpolitics'? In the post-colonial, post-apartheid, neo-liberal new South Africa poor and marginalised citizens continue to struggle for land, housing and health care. They must respond to uncertainty and radical contingencies on a daily basis. This requires multiple strategies, an engaged, practised citizenship, one that links the daily struggle to well organised mobilisation around claiming rights. Robins argues for the continued importance of NGOs, socialmovements and other 'civil society' actors in creating new forms of citizenship and democracy. He goes beyond the sanitised prescriptions of 'good governance' so often touted by development agencies. Instead he argues for a complex, hybrid and ambiguous relationship between civil society and the state, where new negotiations around citizenship emerge. Steven L. Robins is Professor of Social Anthropology in the University of Stellenbosch and editorof Limits to Liberation after Apartheid (James Currey). Critics of liberalism in Europe and North America argue that a stress on 'rights talk' and identity politics has led to fragmentation, individualisation and depoliticisation. But are these developments really signs of 'the end of politics'? In the post-colonial, post-apartheid, neo-liberal new South Africa poor and marginalised citizens continue to struggle for land, housing and health care. They must respond to uncertainty and radical contingencies on a daily basis. This requires multiple strategies, an engaged, practised citizenship, one that links the daily struggle to well organised mobilisation around claiming rights. Robins argues for the continued importance of NGOs, social movements and other 'civil society' actors in creating new forms of citizenship and democracy. He goes beyond the sanitised prescriptions of 'good governance' so often touted by development agencies. Instead he argues for a complex, hybrid and ambiguous relationship between civil society and the state, where new negotiations around citizenship emerge. Steven L. Robins is Professor of Social Anthropology in the University of Stellenbosch and editor of 'Limits to Liberation after Apartheid' (James Currey). Southern Africa: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press (PB) Introduction: From Revolution To Rights -- Activist Mediations Of 'rights & Indigeneous Identity: Land Struggles, Ngos & Indigeneous Rights In Namaqualand -- Citizens & 'bushmen' : The Khomani San, Ngos, & The Making Of A New Social Movement -- 'civil Society' & Popular Politics In The Postcolony: 'deep Democracy' & Deep Authoritarianism At The Tip Of Africa? -- Aids, Science & The Making Of A Social Movement : Aids Activism & Biomedical Citizenship In South Africa -- Rights Passages From 'near Death' To 'new Life': Aids Activism & New Hiv Identities In South Africa -- Sexual Rights & Sexual Cultures: Aids Activism, Sexual Politics & 'new Masculinities' After Apartheid -- Conclusion: Beyond Rights & The Limits Of Liberalism. Steven L. Robins. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 175-185) And Index. CONTENTS FOREWORD AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABBREVIATIONS ZAPIRO CARTOONS 1 Introduction: From Revolution to Rights 2 Activist Mediations of ‘Rights’ & Indigenous Identity: Land Struggles, NGOs & Indigenous Rights in Namaqualand 3 Citizens & ‘Bushmen’: The ≠khomani San, NGOs & the Making of a New Social Movement 4 ‘Civil Society’ & Popular Politics in the Postcolony ‘Deep Democracy’ & Deep Authoritarianism at the Tip of Africa? 5 AIDS, Science & the Making of a Social Movement AIDS Activism & Biomedical Citizenship in South Africa 6 Rights Passages from ‘Near Death’ to ‘New Life’ AIDS Activism & New HIV-identities in South Africa 7 Sexual Rights & Sexual Cultures: AIDS Activism, Sexual Politics & ‘New Masculinities’ after Apartheid 8 Conclusion: Beyond Rights & the Limits of Liberalism BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX "Critics of liberalism in Europe and North America argue that a stress on 'rights talk' and identity politics has led to fragmentation, individualisation and depoliticisation. But are these developments really signs of 'the end of politics'?" "Steven L. Robins argues for the continued importance of NGOs, social movements and other 'civil society' actors in creating new forms of citizenship and democracy, producing a complex, hybrid and ambiguous relationship between civil society and the state, where new negotiations around citizenship emerge."--Jacket