Violence and democracy in South Africa's community protests

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Periodical article

Title:	Violence and democracy in South Africa's community protests
Author:	Paret, Marcel
Year:	2015
Periodical:	Review of African Political Economy (ISSN 0305-6244)
Volume:	42
Issue:	143
Pages:	107-123
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	democracy violence protest
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1080/03056244.2014.995163
Abstract:	Community protests in South Africa are often described as violent. Drawing from newspaper articles, interviews with protesters and statements by public officials, this paper unpacks the meaning of 'violent protest'. It shows that violence is both ambiguous and deeply entangled with democracy. On the one hand, violent practices may become a tool of liberation, promoting democracy by empowering marginalised groups. On the other hand, democracy may become a tool of domination, undermining dissent by constituting as violent those persons and actions that deviate from formal institutional channels. The analysis urges scholars to adopt a critical and nuanced view of violence. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]