Department of Political Studies

The higher civil service and bureaucracy: A comparative analysis of Great Britain and the' United States

Madzivhandila, Lusani T (University of the Western Cape, 1994)

This thesis is a comparative study of the higher civil service and bureaucracy of Great Britain and the United States. The study analyzes the political framework of the British and the United States systems of governance, ...

The role of chieftaincy in party politics in Africa: An analysis of the leadership succession systems of the South West Africa people’s organisation (SWAPO) and the Botswana Democratic party (BDP)

Matongo, Mayanga Agenda (University of Western Cape, 2019)

This research analyses the influence of chieftaincy in party political processes in African states. In this regard, the study employs a case study design in investigating how chieftaincy shapes leadership succession dynamics ...

Race, class and law in post-Apartheid South Africa: A Marxist critique of Black Economic Empowerment

Hoskins, Jonathan Mark (University of Western Cape, 2020)

With the advent of democracy, the ANC government was faced with the problem of addressing abject poverty, persistent unemployment and rank economic inequality that beset black South Africans under apartheid. To address ...

Terrorism and military intervention under the principle of the Responsibility to Protect: The case of Boko Haram.

Sibanda, Sehlule (University of Western Cape, 2020)

Intervention is a controversial issue in international relations. In recent years, the issue of intervention has been further complicated by the attention given to terrorism following the 9/11 attacks on the United States ...

The role regime type plays with respect to intelligence cooperation: the case of South Africa and Israel

Walbrugh, Dean John (University of the Western Cape, 2019)

This thesis explores the intelligence cooperation exhibited between South Africa and Israel during the time periods of apartheid (1948-1994) and post-apartheid (1994-2015). Regime type is explored as a factor impacting on ...

Political culture and nuclear proliferation: Juche and North Korea’s foreign and nuclear policy

Hendricks, Craig Darren (University of the Western Cape, 2019)

North Korea has against the numerous warnings of the international community, protocols and sanctions tested nuclear and missile devices. The purpose of this study is to explain how the political ideology of Juche informs ...

The politics of belonging and a contest for survival: Rethinking the conflict in North and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cloete, Jacob (University of the Western Cape, 2019)

I set out to rethink the ongoing conflict in North Kivu and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). I highlight two problems with regards to the current conceptualisation of the conflict in North Kivu and ...

State and civil society: #FeesMustFall movement as a counter- hegemonic force? A case of the University of the Western Cape experience

Mandyoli, Lindokuhle (University of the Western Cape, 2019)

The #FeesMustFall (#FMF) movement is an important moment in South Africa as it provides insight into the evolution of the relations between state and civil society. An inquiry into the 2015/2016 student protests at the ...

The state capture of independent institutions: an analysis of the National Prosecuting Authority, 1998-2017

Pypers, Elaine (The University of the Western Cpae, 2018)

This thesis focuses on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa between 1998 and 2017, by looking at whether it acts as an independent institution and if it strengthens the quality of democracy in the ...

Human rights discourse and postcolonial Africa: The call for intervention in Darfur

Thoba, Athenkosi (University of the Western Cape, 2017)

While they have emerged as global ideals based on the recognition of liberty, dignity and universal rights to 'all individuals' within the global community, human rights have faced numerous criticism and scepticism from ...

The Role of Faith-Based Organizations (FBOS) in Reducing Crime and Violence in Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Communities: A Case Study of the Community of Bishop Lavis.

Thomas, Angelique (The University of the Western Cape, 2017)

Out of a personal conviction that having been surrounded by crime and violence for many years was abnormal, this study was born out of a desire for the researcher to understand whether alternative solutions were available ...

Campaigning in Party Strongholds: A case of Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay.

Dyantyi, Mandisa (University of the Western Cape, 2015)

The ability to campaign freely in the run-up to elections is seen as a critical part of democracy. This study seeks to establish whether South African political parties can campaign freely in township areas, without fear ...

Problematizing 'victim's justice' : political reform in post-genocide Rwanda

Bachu, Nivrata (University of the Western cape, 2016)

In this dissertation, I problematize 'victim's justice' in post-genocide Rwanda. I argue that the kind of justice that was meted out in post-genocide Rwanda, namely victors' justice and complementary to it – victims’ ...

The Westphalian model and trans-border ethnic identity : the case of the Chewa Kingdom of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia

Kayuni, Happy Mickson (University of the Western Cape, 2014)

This study is an investigation of the informal trans-border Chewa ethnic movement of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia and its relationship to the formal state boundaries defined by the Westphalian model. The Chewa refer ...

Africa's contribution to the humanitarian approach of nuclear weapons disarmament : Pelindaba Treaty

Mhone, Peggy S (University of the Western Cape, 2016)

This thesis attempts to assess the role Africa has played to further the humanitarian approach to nuclear weapons disarmament. Particular focus is on the Pelindaba Treaty and whether it has been able to strengthen the call ...

Operationalising the Capability Approach for Non-Government Organisations : Evidence from the SEEDS Consortium

Lombard, Christoffel Nicolaas (University of the Western Cape, 2015)

The idea that the development of people's capabilities lies at the heart of all community and social development has gained support internationally over the past decades. This reflects a significant shift in community and ...

No meaningful participation without effective representation: the case of the Niall Mellon Housing Project in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay

Sikota, Zikhona (University of the Western Cape, 2015)

Access to adequate housing is one of the most debated issues in democratic South Africa. The government continues to battle with existing backlogs in the provision of housing and a seemingly increasing demand. At the same ...