Contemporary South Africa (Contemporary States and Societies) [Paperback]

Anthony Butler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0230217672 | ISBN-13: 978-0230217676 | Publication Date: October 27, 2009 | Edition: Second Edition

This book is a wide-ranging introduction to the social, political, cultural and economic life of South Africa. Updated throughout, the new edition considers the particular challenges of the early 21st century: unemployment, education, crime, a maturing HIV/AIDS epidemic and South Africas complex international relations within sub-saharan Africa and beyond.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Endorsements of 1st edition:
"This timely book fills an important gap: a reliable, intelligent and accessible introduction to contemporary South Africa. The country's history of colonialism, segregation and apartheid left deep scars on the society; the 'rainbow' euphoria of the first democratic election in 1994 has been succeeded by more pragmatic politics; and South Africa faces crucial issues such as deep-seated poverty, soaring unemployment and the AIDS pandemic. Butler is a sure-footed guide across complex terrain; he is particularly deft in summarising hotly contested debates around social policy, economic development, and how race and class pattern South African life in the twenty-first century."-- Colin Bundy, Director, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 

"This concise but penetrating work is informed by the state-of-the-art literature on South African politics, economics, and history. It will be useful for graduate and undergraduate courses on comparative politics but will also appeal to the general reader. I recommend it strongly." -- Ian Shapiro, Yale University
 
"This is an important book for anyone interested in South Africa's political transformation. It is essential reading for students of political science and for a wider readership interested in democratisation in developing societies." -- Hans Keman, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Editor of the European Journal of Political Research

 

"Anthony Butler has delivered a lucid and comprehensive account of the main currents in contemporary South African affairs. He reaches balanced conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of this 'rainbow nation's' new order. Readers who seek an informed, reliable and up-to-date overview need look no further." -- Michael Bratton, Michigan State University

About the Author

ANTHONY BUTLER is Associate Professor of Political Studies at the University of Cape Town.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; Second Edition edition (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0230217672
• ISBN-13: 978-0230217676
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > History > Africa > South Africa
  • #49 in Books > Law > Perspectives on Law > Non-US Legal Systems

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and even-handed, July 8, 2006

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contemporary South Africa (Contemporary States and Societies) (Paperback)

In this fascinating book, author and Associate Professor of Political Studies at the University of Cape Town, Anthony Butler, looks at the current state of economic, social and political conditions in South Africa. With the African National Congress's assumption of power in 1994, in the wake of the nation's first non-racial election, there were many predictions, both rosy and dire about what the future held for the nation of South Africa. This book, written some ten years after the transfer of power, is an examination of the state of the nation, of how it has developed and where it is headed.

Overall, I found this to be an absolutely excellent book on the present state of South Africa. The author does a great job of explaining what is going on in South Africa in a clear and even-handed manner. If you are interested in South Africa, and how it has changed since 1994, then I would highly recommend this book to you!