Regerings‐elite se persepsdes oor die rol van belangegroepe in openbare beleeds‐formulering in Suid‐Afrika

ABSTRACT

This article focuses on the Botha administration's attitude towards interest groups and their perceived influence on aspects of public policy. The government elite's views were largely dependent on the interest groups’ supposed contribution, to the formulation and implementation of policy through “positive” or “constructive” < research. On this basis, several non‐governmental elite groups exerted specific influence on various dimensions of public policy. Apart from traditional Afrikaner elite‐groups such as the Broederbond, the Dutch Reformed Church and the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, the “insiders” included groups whose economic ideologies (among other variables) were reconcilable with those of government. Examples are the English business sector and Inkatha.

The study concludes with a tentative assessment of the role and status of these “insiders” in the De Klerk presidency.