Bridges Academy: South Africa's Democracy: Decline or Consolidation?

Location

Degheri Alumni Center, 120

Free

Since 1994, there have been many significant achievements with respect to South Africa’s democracy. While South Africa is stable relative to other states in sub-Saharan Africa, and has established strong institutional structures and processes to promote democratic decision-making, citizens face significant challenges on a daily basis. A lack of jobs, growing corruption, unequal education, and less vibrant civil society associations have resulted in many South Africans growing dissatisfied with the current democratic regime.

How is this dissatisfaction expressed in today’s South Africa? What are citizens doing to hold government accountable? How is the government responding? And most importantly, will these challenges lead to an ultimate decline in South Africa’s democracy?

Dr. Mike Williams, director of the USD Changemaker Hub and associate professor in political science and international relations, to discuss the current socio-political and economic situation in South Africa.