Class struggle, popular democratic struggle and the South African state

Abstract

A consideration of the character of the ongoing democratic struggle in South Africa, this article focuses on the strategy of the state and the nature of opposition groups in the conflict and the way in which they transform the terrain of struggle. It is argued that a decisive phase of the struggle has been reached involving a shift in the balance of forces in favour of those struggling for a democratic resolution, although state power remains entrenched and numerous problems of strategy and tactics remain for the liberation movements. This analysis is then used to assess the class character and nature of the unlikely changes which could result from the struggle.