Abstract
Whether novel is history or history is novel, is a tantalising point. “The novel is no longer a work, a thing to make las t, to connect the pas t with the future but (only) one current event among many, a ges ture with no tomorrow” Kundera (1988:19). One does not have to agree with Kundera to find that social sciences , as his toriography holds a s tory, a human narrative to be shared when focused on a case or cases. In this case, relations between peoples over more than a century are discussed. At the same time, what is known as broader casing in qualitative studies enters the picture. The relations between the governments and the peoples of South Africa and Russia ( including the Soviet Union), sometimes in conflict or peace and sometimes at variance are discussed. Past and present communalities and differences between two national entities within a changing international or global context deserve attention while moments of auto-ethnography compliment the study. References are made to the international political economy in the context of the relations between these countries.Keywords: Soviet Union; South Africa; Total Onslaught; United Party; Friends of the Soviet Union; ideological conflict (South Africa); Russians (and the Anglo-Boer War); racial capitalism; apartheid; communism/Trotskyism (in South Africa); broader casing (qualitative research)Subject fields: political science; sociology; (military) history; international political economy; social anthropology; international relations; conflict studies
Highlights
The abstract above calls up the importance of “‘transnational’ and ‘transboundary’ theories and perspectives” and the relevance of the statement that, Worldwide, the rigid boundaries that once separated disciplines have become less circumscribed; they are no longer judged by the static conventions of yesteryear (Editorial, Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa, 2009: iii-iv)
The terms ‘viewing’ and ‘the other’ call up contending and complementary world views. These terms relate to ideology, political socialisation, conflicts, peacemaking, past memories, international relations and projected futures. Such discourse calls up social identities and political dynamics – concepts deployed in various social science disciplines
In Drie Eeue we find a perspective on why Russia could not go to war against Britain at the time − even if the Tsar may have dreamt of it
Summary
The abstract above calls up the importance of “‘transnational’ and ‘transboundary’ theories and perspectives” and the relevance of the statement that, Worldwide, the rigid boundaries that once separated disciplines have become less circumscribed; they are no longer judged by the static conventions of yesteryear (Editorial, Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa, 2009: iii-iv). The autoethnographic angle adds value to other research approaches and complements available data such as archival sources, literature studies and comparative approaches, while contextualising it within human and personal experience and interaction with other social agents (Schwandt, 2001: 13; Quelette, 2003: 13ff; Ellis, 2004: 31–32; Sparks, 2002: 2–5; Bryman, 2001: 299ff) Such added value justifies the use of auto-ethnography to complement other approaches in a contribution such as this. Auto-ethnography as qualitative research angle provides a view rich in data about an era, personal experiences, social interaction and observations in a particular context (Etherington, 2006:141; Josselson, Lieblich and McAdams, 2003) It throws a unique light on socio-political developments and outcomes in combination with other sources of data (Blenkinssop, 2006; Crang and Cook, 2007:13; Philaterou and Allen, 2006:65,67ff). The author owes gratitude to Andrey Sharashkin (Counciller) and Fiodosiy Vladyeshevskiy (Attaché) of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Pretoria/Tshwane (2004/2005) for assistance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
