South Africa's democracy faces increasing challenges from within, whether from protest, bad governance or general public dissatisfaction. South Africa ́s Democracy at the Crossroads explores the question; what are the challenges to future democratization in South Africa?

State of the Nation: South Africa 2008 is the fifth volume in the annual series published by the HSRC Press. This edition features a range of pertinent and captivating contemporary viewpoints on South African politics, society, economy and international relations. As with earlier editions, commentary is drawn from the ranks of academics, political analysts, civil society and the research community. The diverse contributions form a comprehensive collection that, as always, reflects a finger kept firmly on the South African pulse. Issues featured in this edition include: Black consciousness in contemporary South African politics; Modernising the African National Congress; The developmental state debate; Globalisation and transformation of the South African Merchant Navy; Landlords, tenants and social power in the backyards of a South African city; The state of military relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe and South Africa's role in the UN Security Council.

English and Afrikaans with abstracts in English.

Presents the struggle in South Africa for the end of the rigid segregation and strict racial policies of apartheid.

South Africa's democracy faces increasing challenges from within, whether from protest, bad governance or general public dissatisfaction. South Africa ́s Democracy at the Crossroads explores the question; what are the challenges to future democratization in South Africa?

Selected bibliography pp. 429-442