State, strategy and extra‐parliamentary opposition in South Africa, 1983–1988

Abstract

After making general theoretical and methodological points regarding the analysis of the South African state, this article goes on to analyze the recent behaviour of the state in relation to the extra‐parliamentary opposition which has emerged since 1983. Changes within the institutions of the state are identified with major policy changes regarding the extra‐parliamentary opposition and the consequences of such developments are examined. The article concludes by making general points about the institutional structure of the state and the possibility of effecting a transition to a post‐Apartheid South Africa.