An application of the four-dimensional model of power: the case of Khutsong

ABSTRACT

This study entails an examination of power relationships amongst actors in a local housing development project, in Khutsong township, South Africa. In this case study we apply the four-dimensional model of power, namely, 1-D Agency, 2-D Structure, 3-D System of Thought and 4-D Social Ontology. We show that in this project consensus on 3-D interpretation and 4-D self-restraint is weak and the 1-D and 2-D power relationships are unfocused. Yet, outcomes were realised due to an underlying 3-D unity around the right to housing. The findings reveal the relevance, but also complexity of applying the four-dimensional model in heterogenic settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Khutsong
• power
• dimensions
• housing
• urban politics
• post-Apartheid

Acknowledgments

The Khutsong participants are thanked for their willingness to participate in this study and IPSA RC36 group members for their valuable comments on the interpretation of the results.

Disclosure statement

There is no potential conflict of interest in regard to this article.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was written within a research program funded by the National Research Foundation, South Africa. Project title: Post-Apartheid Housing Systems and Socio-spatial politics. Grant number: 106470. Participants: Gift Mupambwa (main applicant) and Johan Zaaiman.

Notes on contributors

Johan Zaaiman

Johan Zaaiman is associate professor and Gift Mupambwa is senior lecturer in Sociology at the School of Social Studies, North-West University. Their research interest is local power configurations and in South Africa they had published on their research in the Khutsong township and theoretical reflections on power relationships at the local level.

Gift Mupambwa

Gift Mupambwa is a lecturer in Sociology at the North-West University, Vanderbijlpark campus, South Africa. His interest is in local power. He holds a PhD in Sociology from the same university. He specialises in local power configurations and urban spatial-politics, democratisation and development.