South Africa's domestic politics: key questions and options

Abstract

The basic problem facing the South African plural political society is how to eliminate the domination of one group over the others. Various approaches to this problem can be contemplated eg. the separation model, the integration model and the multinational model. For a variety of reasons, which the writer discusses in depth, the separation model and the integration model should both be rejected. In his view, the only viable option for South Africa is the multinational model because it will bring less friction, secure group identity, and eliminate domination. He agrees that multinationalism poses serious obstacles too, because South Africa is beset with an aggressive heterogeneity which is stimulated by racial polarisation, socio‐economic and class differentials and also the demands of black Africa and the rest of the world. However, while the policy of multinationalism may not be the perfect or ultimate answer, it is at least a phase in the process of conflict management and facilitates the search for a common destiny for all the peoples of South Africa.