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The ANC and the development of party politics in modern South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2004

Tom Lodge
Tom Lodge
Affiliation:
Department of Political Studies, University of the Witwatersrand.
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Abstract

In one party dominant democracies, political parties often lose vitality. Interviews with ANC branch members reveal a more encouraging picture of the party's inner life. Members engage voluntarily in a range of party-sponsored activities. The ANC's organisational deployment is directed at the mobilisation of a militant activist community. Its commitment to consultative decision-making has declined, however, though under certain conditions the rank and file can challenge leadership successfully. The ANC's internal electoral arrangements promote consensus rather than competition, despite the interest they evoke from members. In general, despite the ANC's hegemonic aspirations, increasingly it conforms to the behaviour of an electorally oriented party in a liberal democracy.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Modern African Studies , Volume 42 , Issue 2 , June 2004 , pp. 189 - 219
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

The survey for this paper was supported by funding from South African Netherlands Programme on Alternatives in Development and the Swedish International Development Agency, and questionnaire interviewing was undertaken by Celokuhle Buthelezi, Philemon Lukhele, Sibusiso Mabasa, Z. J. Majole, Lesetja Marepo, Thomas Matlhabe, Mmamagang Modisha, Obakeng Mogole, Thokozani Ngidi, and Refilwe Rakolota.