Electoral Politics in South Africa

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

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2. A Decade of Democracy

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. A Voice for Some: South Africa’s Ten Years of Democracy

      • Steven Friedman

      Pages 3-22

   3. The Electoral Implications of Social and Economic Change since 1994

      • Jeremy Seekings

      Pages 23-39

   4. Voter Information, Government Evaluations, and Party Images in the First Democratic Decade

      • Robert Mattes

      Pages 40-63

   5. Parliament and the Electoral System: How Are South Africans Being Represented?

      • Lia Nijzink, Jessica Piombo

      Pages 64-86

   6. Electoral Administration: Achievements and Continuing Challenges

      • Claude Kabemba

      Pages 87-105

3. The Party Campaigns

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 107-107

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   2. The African National Congress: There Is No Party Like It; Ayikho Efana Nayo

      • Tom Lodge

      Pages 109-128

   3. The Democratic Alliance: Progress and Pitfalls

      • Susan Booysen

      Pages 129-147

   4. The Inkatha Freedom Party: Between the Impossible and the Ineffective

      • Laurence Piper

      Pages 148-165

   5. The New National Party: The End of the Road

      • Collette Schulz-Herzenberg

      Pages 166-186

   6. Struggling to Represent the Left: The Pan Africanist Congress, the Azanian People’s Organization, and the Independent Democrats

      • Thabisi Hoeane

      Pages 187-206

   7. The Smallest Parties: The ACDP, UCDP, FF+, MF, and UDM

      • Sanusha Naidu, Mbogeni Manqele

      Pages 207-227

4. Results and Assessment

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 229-229

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   2. Media Coverage in Election 2004: Were Some Parties More Equal Than Others?

      • Gavin Davis

      Pages 231-249

   3. The Results of Election 2004: Looking Back, Stepping Forward

      • Jessica Piombo

      Pages 250-290

5. Back Matter

   Pages 291-297

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Ten years into the 'new' South Africa, how does democracy function? This volume provides a retrospective on a decade of elections and democracy in South Africa. The book analyzes the evolution of the party system and electoral campaigns; tracks changes in public opinion and voter motivations; assesses the political implications of socioeconomic change; depicts the evolution of parliament and the electoral system; probes the often-tense relationship between media and government; analyzes the institutionalization the Independent Electoral Commission; and, finally, argues that South Africa is witnessing a 'normalization' of politics. The book speaks to a broad range of topics, all linked through the electoral theme, which get to the heart of many issues in contemporary South African politics.

• Africa
• campaign
• democracy
• election
• elections
• Electoral
• Electoral System
• government
• Institution
• parliament
• party system
• politics
• voter

'An invaluable and lively collection of essays on South Africa's electoral politics by the leading authorities in the field. Essential reading for all those interested in the 'New' South Africa.' - Anthony Butler, Associate Professor, University of Cape Town, South Africa

'Electoral Politics in South Africa is an excellent guide to the highs and lows of South Africa's first decade of democracy. Piombo and Nijzink have assembled an outstanding cast of writers whose essays illuminate not just the 2004 election but highlight how the nation has grappled with the transition from apartheid to multi-party democracy. The book makes essential reading for anyone wishing to understand where South African democracy is heading.' - Andrew Reynolds, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, and Editor of Election '94 South Africa and Election '99 South Africa

'...this is a worthwhile book, with two excellent introductory chapters and much useful information, especially on the smaller parties...' - The Round Table

'As South Africa moves towards its next democratic election, it is important to understand the electoral trends that have emerged in the past decade. Electoral Politics in South Africa makes a valuable contribution to the body of work that contributes to that understanding.' - Focus

JESSICA PIOMBO is Assistant Professor, Naval Postgraduate School, USA.

LIA NIJZINK is the Project Manager of the African Legislatures Project, USA.

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