Ideologies Present in South Africa 2014

14 September 2013 Kristen de Wet 10V
History Essay – Ideologies
South Africa is a democratic country, governed by the ANC. The most dominant ideologies present are capitalism and liberalism, with the uprising struggle against socialism. Many people’s lives are still affected today as a result of the severities of the apartheid and are therefore demanding compensation.
South Africa has struggled with equality due to the previous implementation of the apartheid regime. Nineteen years later, South Africa citizens still remain in the mind set of apartheid. However, liberalism is a major political ideology that has been implemented.
According to Alexander~Socials 11, liberalism is an ideology which strives to increase the individuals differences through rights under the law. Liberalism prefers social progress not by means of revolution, but through means of reform and changing the laws of the country. This occurred in 1994 when apartheid was abolished; the laws and restrictions were changed.
South Africa still has problems with inequality. There remains a massive divide between the affluent and indigent in the country and there is a very small middle income class, ranging from Diepsloot to Hyde Park. This is evidence that liberalism does not have an influence in wealth matters, as we have a capitalist economy.
However, liberalism is rife in the sense that all genders, of all races, above any legal age in society are permitted to vote for an elected president. Different races are able to live in harmony, although, affirmative action with the current employment opportunities available, will South African society ever be free and fair?
Citizens are demanding for compensation for the repercussions of apartheid by demanding Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and land distribution.
Liberalism is rife in South Africa due to the simple fact that apartheid was implemented in South Africa, creating inequality amongst the white and non-white people. This racial inequality led to many up risings from the non-white people. This is why there are positive and negative traits to a liberalist society.
All citizens of South Africa now have equal opportunities without racial discrimination to the point that South Africa is known as the “Rainbow Nation”. There is less violence and hatred and liberalism has enforced peace amongst the races as they share the same environment.
However, non-white people are taking advantage of the liberalistic approach by demanding Black Economic Empowerment, which defeats the point of equality. Therefore, liberalism is failing to create equality in the economic and business world and the government should enforce a law that allows for all races to have an equal opportunity to strengthen the economy. Liberalism also lacks solid stances since liberal views is that there is constant growth of society, as stated by Charles Simkins in an article on Liberalism in South Africa.
South Africa does have a history with liberalism as during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the British annexed South Africa twice and brought in the liberalistic values of Dr John Philips, according to “A History of South Africa” by NE Nevis.
South Africa does have a liberalistic approach to society without going as far as communism, with our capitalistic economy.
According to “The Complete Idiots Guide to European History” by Nathan Barber, Adam Smith whom is the father of Capitalism believes that a country should have private ownership of trade and industry in the country in order to make a personal profit. He believes that this would strengthen the economy if the government had a laissez-faire approach to the economy to allow it to strive without worsening it with their interference. Capitalism is more effective than the communal ownership experienced in a communistic society as this allows for the economy to grow and move forward.
Capitalism is evident in South Africa as you are able to enter into entrepreneurial businesses and all employees are paid according to their level of skills.
As my family and I discussed over dinner, South Africa is in a constant struggle, at the moment, with the opposition parties to nationalise our mines, making it property of the government. This is indicating a contrast between socialism, which is a milder form of communism and capitalism in the country. Nevertheless, the government is opposing the idea as it is not in the best interests of the people and the country as major mining industries will pull out, ultimately weakening our economy even more. The ANC youth league want to enforce it, along with the South African communist party. Fortunately, the majority of the parties oppose the idea. This is one of the benefits of democracy – majority rules.
Capitalism is very popular in South Africa as it promotes its democratic government as society has a say in how the economic and political system works. People with a higher level of skills than others have the opportunity to execute their skills by starting their own business for the personal gain in profits.
The strengths of capitalism are that it decentralizes the South African economy by giving a lot of alternatives. With reference to the website “Helium”, I discovered that capitalism provides consumers with an array of choices of products.
Due to the open market a capitalistic economy provides, it creates stronger competition which will ultimately improve the quality of products.
This competition, however, may lead to unethical or unfair trade in the market.
A capitalistic economy emphasizes the importance of a person’s skills, which is only fair, contributing to South Africa’s liberalistic approach.
With regards to the religious ideologies in South Africa, with our liberalism being rife in a social aspect, people are free to follow any religion. This religious freedom and allowance to dispute between religions can be seen in the recent revolts, by the Islam community, against the increase in mosques being built around South Africa.
South Africa does have a history of being involved in the crusades against the Muslims in the fifteenth century, as stated in “A History of South Africa” by NE Davis.
Capitalism and liberalism are the main ideologies that influence South Africa in today’s society.
If the government takes it energies and resources and focuses on the implementation of education in all areas of the country, inequalities in society and business, as well as implications in the economy will be combatted
South Africa is a capitalist society with liberal influences. Nonetheless, despite its society progressing towards an entirely free society, there are still issues from the past plaguing its process. These issues can immediately be seen as a result of the old apartheid regime. While no country is perfect and South Africa has its issues, past and present, it is slowly progressing towards an ideal liberal, capitalist society.