Speaking to global debates through a national and continental lens: South African and African social movements in comparative perspective

Abstract

This chapter reflects on the empirical cases of contemporary social movements in South Africa and Africa in relation to the debates that have emerged in the global academy. In particular it responds to two assertions that have become common in this debate; first, that the fulcrum of social struggles for a human development agenda has shifted from the arena of production to consumption, and second, that identity movements and struggles are replacing the overtly material ones, especially in postindustrial societies. Studies of social movements in South Africa and Africa, however, suggest that both these assertions are too simplistic, and that in reality a more nuanced interpretation is required. While the scale of social struggles has expanded in the arena of consumption, the South African and African case studies suggest that movements in the arena of production not only continue to retain vibrancy, but also are crucial to the sustainability of struggles of consumption. Moreover these same case studies suggest that while identity movements and struggles are indeed on the increase, material issues are as relevant to these struggles as they have been to the earlier social movements. Finally the chapter concludes with the argument that these movements are crucial in many of the democratizing societies for creating the substantive uncertainty that is necessary for facilitating the accountability of political elites to their marginalized citizens so that a more sustainable human-oriented development agenda is realized.