Die ontwikkeling van reaksionêre gedrag weens die uitskakeling van relatiewe deprivasie in Suidwes‐Afrika/Namibië in 1978/1979

Abstract

An interesting development in South West Africa/Namibia in the years 1978 and 1979 was the reactionary conduct of certain elements in the white population group. With the realisation of values to the so‐called benefit of the black majority, certain elements in the white minority group regarded the value stocks of society as too inflexible for everyone to gain in value position. They perceived gaining of values by the other groups as detrimental to their own bargaining position. A small faction in the reactionary group also showed an inclination to violence.

By using one of T.R. Gurr's hypotheses in his book “Why Men Rebel” (1970) which states that to the extent that the stock of any value in a society is perceived to be inflexible, perceived group capabilities for that value vary strongly and inversely with upward mobility of other groups on that value, the potentially revolutionary situation in SWA/Namibia will be analysed. The findings of other authors on reactionary behaviour which point out by implication that the SWA/Namibia situation is not totally unique, will also be looked at to create a better understanding about this type of behaviour.