Inequality, Violence and Democratic Development in South Africa

• In Event: The Politics of Redistribution in the Global South

Abstract

Since the turn to the new Millennium, social protection programs have expanded dramatically in the Global South. There is a substantial literature documenting the introduction, expansion and implementation of these programs as well as their socio-economic impacts. Some research also investigates the role of political actors, such a ruling governments and international donors, in the establishment of social protection. Less is known about the opinion of citizens – except to the extent that social programs may affect citizens’ voting behavior. However, in democratic developing countries, citizens’ support for redistributive policies, such as social protection, is important for the long-term sustainability of such policies. Although support for redistribution can be high in middle-income, young democracies, especially given the high rates of poverty and economic insecurity in the population, support for redistribution may also be shaken by high levels of inequality, extreme violence, corruption, and mistrust of political institutions. Focusing on South Africa, a paradigmatic case of extreme violence and inequality in a young democracy, we show that although there exists broad, cross-class support for redistribution, this consensus may be jeopardized by the South African state’s inability to push social-economic transformation and end endemic violence. Analysis of original household survey data and focus group research reveal that the otherwise broad support for redistribution is shallow – and threatened by state failures to address basic elements of human security. As citizens express frustrations with incapable and corrupt state institutions and as support for democracy is waning, citizens are increasingly preferring private, non-state solutions, and there are signs that they may become less willing to support government efforts to reduce inequality.

Authors

• Sarah M. Brooks, Ohio State University

• Marianne Sandvad Ulriksen, Aarhus University