In the 1980s South Africa’s urban townships exploded into insurrection led by youth and residents’ organizations that collectively became known as the “civics movement.” Ironically, the movement post-apartheid has been unable to adapt to the role of a voluntary association in the liberal polity it helped create, and has had great difficulty defining any alternative role for itself. This volume charts the rise and fall of the movement in the transition to and consolidation of democracy in South Africa.

Among the issues addressed are: If the organizations which brought down an authoritarian regime are unable to survive the transition, what forms of associational life can replace them? Are these appropriate or inimical to the healthy life of a new democracy?

Glenn Adler and Jonny Steinberg