Maintaining Momentum: An Overview of South Africa's Progress Toward Democratic Consolidation

Abstract

South Africa's first all‐race elections in April 1994 marked the beginning of the country's democratic consolidation efforts. Consolidation involves the polity's acceptance of democratic processes, the establishment of the rule of law, institutional reform, the emergence of civil and political society, and economic progress. Although there has been substantial progress toward these requirements, deep political divisions and assuring economic growth and redistribution are among the major challenges facing South Africa. This article reviews South Africa's transition to democracy and assesses the country's progress toward democratic consolidation.