Journal Article

Rethinking the State in Africa: Perceptions of South Africans on State Formation, State-building and a Renegotiated Social Contract

Isike, Christopher, Olasupo, Olusola

2025

Overview

British colonial rule in South Africa in the first instance and the subsequent apartheid regime harmed nation-building with repercussions on good governance, citizenship, and overall development of the country. These negative impacts manifest in the form of high levels of citizen inequality, increased crime rates, poverty, unemployment, corruption, poor service delivery which questions the essence of the state. The origin of the South African state, its perverse character, and future trajectory were interrogated in this paper using qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The findings show South Africa is tending towards state failure unless measures are taken to stem this pivot. One way forward is the creation of a political system that will enable the state and citizens to renegotiate a more inclusive social contract.

• Publisher: Center for African Studies,African Studies Quarterly,University of Florida
• Subject: Apartheid / Black people / Citizens / Citizenship / Colonialism / Constitutional law / Constitutions / Corruption / Crime / Criminal statistics / Economic development / Governance / Governor General-Canada / Human Development Index / Inequality / Low income groups / Nation building / Parliaments / Political aspects / Political development / Political systems / Politics / Poverty / Quantitative analysis / Social aspects / Social contract / Social perception / south africa / Sovereignty / state / State (Political science) / State building / State failure / State formation / Unemployment