April 2011 - Centre for Civil Society - University of KwaZulu-Natal
April 2011 - Centre for Civil Society - University of KwaZulu-Natal
April 2011 - Centre for Civil Society - University of KwaZulu-Natal
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feelings<br />
<strong>of</strong> marginalisation and relative deprivation (worsened by their rural spacial<br />
characteristics) as well as perceptions <strong>of</strong> corruption and an uncaring state.<br />
The arms <strong>of</strong> state which are positioned to deliver and uphold democracy<br />
appear to be floundering.<br />
• Our report shows that respondents perceive local government to be<br />
doing worse than national government according to various per<strong>for</strong>mance<br />
ratings. The depth <strong>of</strong> this disapproval however is narrowing ? national<br />
government is seen to be complicit in the failures at local government<br />
level. For example: disapproval at local municipal level is 56% compared<br />
to 48% who disapprove at national government.<br />
• The findings on how respondents may express dissent <strong>for</strong> poor<br />
service delivery and low levels <strong>of</strong> accountability revealed that the door to<br />
find joint solutions is still ajar ? respondents are prepared to negotiate<br />
and involve themselves in democratic <strong>for</strong>a with the state. The fact that<br />
they have not confronted the state directly through the means <strong>of</strong> protest,<br />
despite very high levels <strong>of</strong> dissatisfaction however should not be taken as<br />
an indicator <strong>of</strong> their social mood but rather as a result <strong>of</strong> their particular<br />
circumstances <strong>of</strong> dependence and vulnerability. Our respondents, based<br />
mostly in rural areas are not prepared to confront the state directly as a<br />
means <strong>of</strong> voicing dissent.<br />
• Indeed, the boldness with which respondents have spoken out might<br />
even suggest that our respondents are getting their voices back and are<br />
breaking through the historical and cultural inhibitions despite the very<br />
direct risk <strong>for</strong> doing so. This suggests that the perceptions reflected in<br />
this report should perhaps be granted even greater weight. It might also be<br />
an indicator that people believe that the situation is becoming serious<br />
now.<br />
That even though challenges may neither be violent nor directly<br />
confrontational, but that ordinary citizens are saying, hey! This is<br />
important. It is serious. Let?s sit down and talk.?<br />
Full report available on http://www.pacsa.org.za/<br />
Libyan Interim Government – agents <strong>of</strong> imperialism<br />
Fred Weston 1 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />
What started as a genuine revolution against Gaddafi, has been taken over<br />
by reactionary bourgeois elements. In the Interim Council, and now the<br />
newly <strong>for</strong>med Interim Government, direct representatives <strong>of</strong> imperialist<br />
interests have been promoted to leading positions.<br />
The conditions that led to the beginning <strong>of</strong> the Libyan revolution in<br />
February were created by the policies that the Gaddafi regime has been<br />
following in recent years, involving opening up the economy to <strong>for</strong>eign<br />
investment and privatisations, that led to growing social problems, such as<br />
very high unemployment. Some calculate that it could be as high as 35%.<br />
This is the result <strong>of</strong> the dismantling <strong>of</strong> a part <strong>of</strong> the old state owned<br />
system.<br />
Other important factors that fomented revolution are the rampant<br />
corruption within the regime and the stifling lack <strong>of</strong> democracy and basic<br />
rights. After decades <strong>of</strong> strict state censorship and control people feel they