State, Civil Society and Apartheid in South Africa

"State, Civil Society and Apartheid in South Africa" offers an in-depth analysis of the role of civil society in legitimizing the apartheid regime in South Africa. The book examines the interactions between dominant groups within the Dutch Reformed Church and the South African state, particularly regarding the development of racial policies. This investigation takes place within the broader relationships between state and civil society, allowing for a theoretical examination as well as a typology of the various forms of these relationships. The case study reveals that the existence of civil society in authoritarian contexts can hinder the establishment of democracy, especially when parts of civil society identify with exclusive ethnic interests. The analysis provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics between state institutions and civil society actors in a historical context.