‘N oorweging van die literatuur oor Suid‐Afrikaanse regionale beleid in die era van konflik

ABSTRACT

This article is based on an extensive study of the literature dealing with the contentious topic of South African regional policy in the period of conflict 1980–1989. The author sets out a framework for analysing a body of literature marked by diverse and contradictory perspectives. Various dimensions are distinguished, of which the ‘persuasive’ and ‘explanatory’ dimensions are considered most important. Nine schools of thought in the relevant literature are then identified in terms of the ‘persuasive’ dimension, linked to ideological positions, and are discussed in some detail.

In conclusion, the author reflects on the difficulties in determining the effectiveness in practice of literature with persuasive intentions. Ironically, insofar as such literature modifies policies of which it is critical, its own explanatory and predictive power is reduced.