The Politics of Race: Discrimination in South Africa

Abstract

The imminence of change in South Africa raises many important questions concerning the nature of racial discrimination in South Africa. In this book, the author provides a theoretical framework within which to address these questions. Ticktin argues that racial discrimination must be seen as a function of capitalism, a view which challenges one of the most important beliefs of the ANC: that ending apartheid will end racial discrimination. He examines such classical Marxist beliefs as state, labour and capital within the context of racial discrimination. The author aims to demonstrate that while contemporary solutions to the crisis in South Africa will abolish formal racial discrimination in favour of black middle classes, that only a socialist solution will solve the problems of the black working classes.