Die sosiopolitieke sienings van 'n groep Suid-Afrikaanse universiteitstudente oor demokrasie in Suid-Afrika
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Date
2017
Authors
Badenhorst, Jo
Badenhorst, Berend
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State
Abstract
Democracy in South Africa is under pressure. A growing number of citizens are convinced that the
government is underperforming and that democracy is often undermined. The current generation
of young adults will soon play a leading role in all sectors of society. Their sociopolitical views and
involvement are of particular relevance to the future of South Africa, especially with regard to the
retention and expansion of democracy as an institution and governance model. Researchers point
to a global trend of increasing political distrust and apathy which is a result of weak and corrupt
government. Since the nineties a similar trend has emerged in South Africa. The youth have become
increasingly uninvolved in politics – a trend that is in stark contrast to the political activism that
characterised the black youth during the apartheid era. Young adults no longer feel obliged to engage
in politics or civil society. Various studies have indicated that political trust in government and positive
sociopolitical attitudes are prerequisites to optimal social and political involvement. A stable, lasting
and prosperous democracy is threatened without the active involvement of the adult youth. In view of
the above, an empirical study was conducted to establish the views that young adults (as “new” voters)
hold on South Africa as a democracy. The investigation concentrated primarily on their views regarding
the success of the current government and their confidence in the South African political context. This
article focuses on the sociopolitical attitudes and opinions of the studying youth in particular. Research
consistently correlates post-school qualifications with political participation. It follows that young
adults in tertiary institutions ─ the so-called intellectual cream ─ are primarily responsible for the
delivery of social capital which is vital to future political and community involvement in a democratic
dispensation. Hence the following questions arise: What are university students’ sociopolitical views?
Do their views affect their confidence in the government? An analysis of the data gleaned by the
investigation revealed tendencies that are supported by the literature. It seems that young adult students
are disillusioned with democracy in South Africa, and its negative consequences are illustrated by the
data. The empirical findings of this study confirm these trends. The data reflects the dissatisfaction
with the performance of government institutions and key functions of government and the perception
that government and state institutions are plagued by corruption. High levels of distrust exist in the
government and its institutions, resulting in a large degree of sociopolitical apathy. The government
faces a distinct challenge. Drastic steps should be taken to restore confidence in democracy. Strategies
should be developed for young adults to become involved in sociopolitical activities, otherwise
democracy in South Africa will gradually weaken, with far-reaching consequences. The findings of this
research and of similar studies can no longer be ignored.
Description
Keywords
Democracy, South Africa, Adult youth, Sociopolitical views, Sociopolitical development, Sosiopolitical trust, Sociopolitical involvement, Social capital, Corruption
Citation
Badenhorst, J., & Badenhorst, B. (2013). Die sosiopolitieke sienings van'n groep Suid-Afrikaanse universiteitstudente oor demokrasie in Suid-Afrika. Journal for Contemporary History, 38(1), 162-183.