The right in transition: an analysis of the politics and ideology of the white rightwing in historical context
This dissertation identifies the white right-wing in South Africa describing the various sub-groups comprising the movement which are more numerous and diverse than was commonly accepted. The thesis assumed a positive correlation between reform and increased support for the right-wing, and that a "hardening of attitudes" took place during the 1988-1993 period, with a resurgence of nationalist, racist and right-wing sentiments. This thesis argues that there is a propensity to fissure on the part of the right-wing which gives rise to diverse tactics and areas of concern including resorting to violence to achieve political ends. The potential strengths and weaknesses of the right-wing in the light of this tendency are highlighted. The right-wing can only be understood in terms of the powerful ideologies underlying it, in particular Afrikaner Nationalism and European fascism, and this study explores these influences. However, it was felt that a new theoretical framework needed to be elaborated in order better to understand the motivation behind and roots of support for right-wing ideas. Such a theoretical framework needs to integrate both the objective/material and the subjective/ideological and psychological determinants in order to be all encompassing and holistic in its thrust.
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