1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9911008477303321

Autore

Robins Steven L.

Titolo

From revolution to rights in South Africa : social movements, NGOs & popular politics after apartheid / / Steven L. Robins

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Suffolk : , : Boydell & Brewer, , 2008

ISBN

1-282-62117-3

9786612621178

1-84615-640-8

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (xvi, 192 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)

Classificazione

MI 65010

Disciplina

303.4840968

Soggetti

Social movements - South Africa

Group identity - South Africa

Civil society - South Africa

AIDS (Disease) - Political aspects - South Africa

Community organization - South Africa

South Africa Politics and government 1994-

South Africa Social conditions 1994-

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 02 Oct 2015).

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. 175-185) and index.

Nota di contenuto

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.

Sommario/riassunto

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).