Suchergebnisse

The path to stability and democracy in Africa faced challenges across the continent in the year to mid-2012. Coups d'etat in Mali and Guinea Bissau were particular reminders of the chronic difficulties faced by African nations, as were the tensions that surrounded electoral processes in countries such as Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia and Zimbabwe. Islamist violence in Nigeria underlined the vulnerability to extremist influences of areas afflicted by poverty and inequality. Also pointing to the region's fragility were the spillover effects in sub-Saharan Africa of unrest in the Arab world, which had toppled three North African regimes in 2011. Among these effects were destabilising flows of returnees, and protests inspired by the Arab uprisings. Overall, events in the 12-month period suggested that, while the continent as a whole has been making significant economic progress, continuation of this positive trend remained vulnerable to political and ethnic disputes, authoritarian governance and in some places to extremism -- as well as to natural disasters such as drought and famine. The brightest development was unexpected progress towards a long-hoped-for political settlement in Somalia, backed by military advances against the al-Shabaab militia group in which several countries participated. Adapted from the source document.

MUCH OF THE WORLD SEES AFRICA AS ONE OF TWO EXTREMES. EITHER IT IS A CONTINENT BESET BY GENOCIDAL WARFARE, CORRUPT LEADERS, AND RAMPANT POVERTY OR IT IS A REGION ABOUT TO ENTER A DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC RENAISSANCE. IN REALITY, AFRICA IS NEITHER ON THE VERGE OF ANARCHY NOR AT THE DAWN OF RENEWAL. AFRICANS HAVE BEGUN CONFRONTING THEIR CONTINENT'S PROBLEMS, BUT THEY ARE DOING SO IN A MANNER THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MIGHT NOT ALWAYS FIND ACCEPTABLE.

In fünf Kapiteln sind Literaturnachweise und Darstellungen zu Forschungsprojekten versammelt, die sich mit Südafrika auseinandersetzen. Folgende Aspekte werden abgedeckt: Politik, Gesellschaft und Wirtschaft in Südafrika, die Rolle des Staates auf internationaler Ebene, die gesellschaftliche Entwicklung im Zuge des Aussöhnungsprozesses sowie HIV und AIDS als schwerwiegendes gesellschaftliches und innenpolitisches Problem. Abschließend wird in einem fünften Kapitel die Weltmeisterschaft in Südafrika aus sozialwissenschaftlicher Perspektive beleuchtet.

Intro -- Foreword: Social Progress around the Globe -- Introduction-Social Progress in Africa: Northern and Eastern -- Chapter 1 Basic Human Needs -- Chapter 2 Foundations of Well-being -- Chapter 3 Opportunity -- Chapter 4 Northern and Eastern African Countries at a Glance -- Conclusion -- Glossary -- Index -- Resources.

In "Regional Integration in Africa: What Role for South Africa", Henri Bah, Zondi Siphamandla and Andre Mbata Mangu reflect on African integration and the contribution of post-apartheid South Africa. From their different scientific background, they demonstrate that despite some progress made under the African Union that superseded the Organisation of African Unity, Africa is still lagging behind in terms of regional integration and South Africa, which benefitted from the rest of the continent in her struggle against apartheid, has not as yet played a major role in this process. Apart from contributing to advancing knowledge, the book should be a recommended read for all those interested in African regional integration and the relationships between Africa and post-apartheid South Africa.-- Back cover