The book looks at contemporary political issues within the South African and the global context. It covers topics such as policy making process; the ethical conduct of government officials and politicians, information management, foreign policy, and the interplay between government and the private sector.

The author provides extra coverage of both North and South Africa and of such key issues as debt, the AIDS epidemic, the position of women and the politics of patronage."--BOOK JACKET.

Africa is changing and it is easy to overlook how decentralization, democratization, and new forms of illiberalism have transformed federalism, political parties, and local politics. Chapters on Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa help fill an important gap in comparative institutional research about state and local politics in Africa.

Political parties and the party system that underpins South Africa’s democracy have the potential to build a cohesive and prosperous nation. But in the past few years the ANC’s dominance has strained the system and tested it and its institutions’ fortitude. There are deeper issues of accountability that often spurn the Constitution and there is also a clear need to foster meaningful public participation and transparency. This volume offers a different and detailed assessment of the health of South Africa’s political system. This study intends to unravel the condition of the party system in South Africa and culminates in the question: Do South African parties promote or hinder democracy in the country? The areas of the party system that are known to require continued work are the weakness of democratic structures within parties, the perceived lack of responsibility of elected parliamentarians towards voters, non-transparent private partner financing structures and a lack of attractiveness of party-political commitment, especially for women. Experts in the respective fields address all of these areas in this book.

"Politics and Government in South Africa provides an up-to-date analysis of political institutions in South Africa from the indigenous period to the present. The book examines the ideas that inform the operation of political institutions, political and popular culture, as well as political socialization. It highlights the major theories that have been used to study South Africa and includes an analysis of socio-economic issues, domestic policy, legislature, foreign policy and the judiciary. As well as political scientists, the volume brings in artists and writers to highlight an alternative representation of South African society, and offers different perspectives on government and politics. By including popular culture, students are introduced to the diverse ways in which artists and writers use their craft to draw attention to pressing economic, social justice and political issues in South Africa. Key features include critical thinking questions at the end of each chapter that allow students to reflect on what they have learned. The volume also provides simulation exercises from opposing political parties on critical matters such as land, major court cases, South Africa's role in the African Union, military engagement abroad, and peacekeeping. This volume will appeal to undergraduate students studying African Studies, International Relations, Foreign Policy and Political Science"--

The A-Z of South African Politics 2004 is an essential and entertaining guide for navigating the corridors of power in South Africa today. Written by Mail & Guardian reporters and other experts associated with the award-winning newspaper, the book will give readers an under-the-skin look at the country's political movers and shakers. Three previous editions of the A-Z of SA Politics have been best sellers. The M&G decided to compile a fourth edition after continual requests by readers and booksellers for another edition looking at who's in, who's out and who's important in South African political life - and what it means for the rest of us. This lively reference work covers national government, judges, priests and premiers -- and those people, out of government, whom it would be folly to ignore.