Research Catalog

Title

Power in action : democracy, citizenship and social justice / Steven Friedman.

Author

Friedman, Steven

Publication

• Johannesburg, South Africa : Wits University Press, 2018.
• ©2018

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xii, 288 pages; 24 cm

Summary

"'What are democracies meant to do? And how does one know when one is a democratic state?' These incisive questions and more underlie this robust enquiry into what democracy means for South Africa post 1994. Power in Action persuasively argues that democracies can only work when every adult has an equal say in the public decisions that affect them. Democracy is achieved not by adopting idealised models derived from other societies, especially from the global North, but rather, it is the product of collective action. Citizens' rights to be heard should not only be through public protest action but also through the conscious exercise of influence on public and private power holders. In this way, more citizens can claim a say over more decisions in society. This is an essential read for all those interested in the future of democracy in Africa as well as the world"--Back cover.

Subject

• Democracy > South Africa
• Democracy > Cross-cultural studies
• Citizenship > South Africa
• South Africa
• democracy
• political action
• action groups
• citizenship
• Citizenship
• Democracy
• Politics and government
• Social conditions
• Demokratie
• Politik
• South Africa > Politics and government
• South Africa > Social conditions
• South Africa
• Südafrika

Genre/Form

Cross-cultural studies

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 251-270) and index.

Contents

The journey lasts forever: beyond 'democratic consolidation' -- Deeper and broader: what makes democracies more or less democratic? -- Democracy in deed: the centrality of collective action -- Colonisation of a sympathetic type? The culture of democracy -- Another lens: collective action and democracy in Africa -- Every day is a special day: collective action a democratic routine -- Power is theirs? Why collective action is usually the preserve of the few -- Collective action as democratic citizenship: the Treatment Action Campagin -- Towards popular sovereignty: building a deeper and stronger democracy.

ISBN

• 9781776144587
• 1776144589
• 9781776143023
• 1776143027
• 9781776143047 (canceled/invalid)
• 9781776143030 (canceled/invalid)
• 9781776143054 (canceled/invalid)

OCLC

• on1079353295
• 1079353295
• SCSB-9486834

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library