eBook on 20 years of SA's democratic Parliament - download

In Working Democracy – Perspectives on South Africa’s Parliament at 20 years, political columnist Christi van der Westhuizen takes an analytical look at a vital institution. Were the makers of the Constitution, who were also the first parliamentarians of democratic South Africa, too ambitious? Does the Democratic Alliance have a problem with race? The drawbacks of the currently overbearing executive are clear, but are there benefits? Was the post-Polokwane parliament merely an example of a Prague Spring? Crucial moments in the first two decades of South Africa’s democratic parliament are examined, particularly the arms deal, AIDS denialism, the dismissal of Vusi Pikoli, the destruction of the Scorpions, the adoption of the Protection of State Information Bill and the tabling of the Traditional Courts Bill.

Working Democracy – Perspectives on South Africa’s Parliament at 20 years