The characteristics of contemporary revolutions in Africa : a comparative analysis

Date
1991-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The characteristics of African revolution are investigated in this thesis, which is made up of five parts. The method used is comparative and descriptive in nature. In the first part problems regarding the definition of revolution are examined. It is found that revolutions are characterised by (a) mass participation ans (b) the transformation of the political and socio-economics orders. thus, five revolutions -- in Algeria, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Zimbabwe -- are identified; they are studies here. In the second part of the thesis the political and socio-economic orders prior to the revolutions are studied. It is found that in all the areas little or no political representation of the local population ; repression by the rulers ; and poor living conditions existed. The manner in which the movements grew is examined in part three. Four elements are central good leadership ; an ideology that united the population ; followers from more than one class or group; and a good organisation. Armed conflict between the ruler and the challenger is examined in part four . Important aspects are the way in which the war was waged ; external support for both parties ; and the manner in which power was transferred to the revolutionary movement. In the final part the transformation of the political and socio-economic orders by the revolutionary movements are analysed.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die eienskappe van revolusie in Afrika is in hierdie tesis, wat uit vyf dele bestaan, ondersoek. Die metode wat gebruik is, is beskrywend en vergelykend van aard. In die eerste deel is daar duidelikheid verkry oor die definisie van revolusie. Daar is bevind dat revolusies gekenmerk word deur (a) massa-deelname en (b) die transformasie van die politieke en sosio-ekonomiese ordes. Daardeur is vyf revolusies -- die in Algerië, Angola, Mosambiek, guinee-Bissau en Zimbabwe -- geïdentifiseer; dit is hierdie revolusies wat hier ontleed word. Die tweede deel van die tesis is afgestaan aan 'n beskrywing van die politieke en sosio-ekonomiese ordes voor die revolusie. Daar is gevind dat in al die gebiede was daar geen weinig politieke verteenwoordiging vir die plaaslike bevolking; verdrukking deur die regeerders; en swak lewenstoestande. Die wyse waarop die bewegings gegroei het, is in deel drie beskryf. Vier elemente is sentraal : goeie leierskap; 'n ideologie wat mense saamgebind het; volgelinge uit meer as een klas of groep; en 'n goeie organisatoriese struktuur. Gewapende konflik tussen die regeerder en die uitdage is in deel vier ontleed. Belangrike aspekte is die wyse waarop die oorlog gevoer is; buitelandse steun aan die strydende partye; en die manier waarop die mag aan die bewegings se transformasie van die politieke en sosio-ekonomiese ordes ondersoek.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 1991.
Keywords
Revolutions -- Africa, UCTD
Citation