Constitution must become a living reality for the poor

“It is all too easy to put the poor into a category, a mental ghetto of sorts, and leave them to eke out their existence, hoping that the government will make good on its promises to address the issues: lack of housing, hunger, denial of the basic rights to education and indeed to the hope [...]

The Democracy Debate

By Stefan Gilbert: What do we mean by democracy, specifically in the African context? and, What is it that Idasa is trying to do when it espouses the statement, “building democratic societies”?

Why Vote?

What droves the democratic instinct to vote?  There’s no good economic rationale, this article argues, and yet people continue to vote in their millions. Is it civic duty, or the hope that your vote will have an impact?  Or is it the social value of being co-operative and being seen at the polling station?  Discuss [...]

Comparing SA and the US

By: Douglas Racionzer
I note that my sending around the lecture from the Tukkies lecturer has received some response. I have subsequently sent a response to Stefan’s “balderdash!” personally which in light of the various comments made may be best shared with you all and might even help us to fashion a narrative around living, [...]