Research Articles (Political Studies)

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Browsing by Author "Anciano, Fiona"

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    Clientelism as civil society? Unpacking the relationship between clientelism and democracy at the local level in South Africa
    (SAGE Publications, 2017) Anciano, Fiona
    This article, building on analyses from the global south, attempts to reframe democratic expectations by considering where previously maligned practices such as clientelism may hold moments of democracy. It does so by comparing the theory of civil society with that of clientelism, and its African counterpart neo-patrimonialism. It argues that clientelism as civil society may fulfil democratic tasks such as holding the (local) state accountable, strengthening civil and political liberties and providing channels of access for previously marginalised groups. Clientelism is not necessarily a reflection of imposed power relations but, at times, can demonstrate a conscious political strategy, to generate development, on the part of its protagonists.
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    Deepening democracy: A farm workers’ movement in the Western Cape
    (Taylor & Francis, 2010) Anciano, Fiona
    This article explores the internal dynamics and external impact of a South African farm workers’ movement, Sikhula Sonke. It looks at the extent to which this women-led ‘social movement trade union’ has succeeded in improving the livelihoods of Western Cape farm workers. Drawing from the organisation’s own aims, it investigates whether the movement has created a democratic organisational structure, addressed social and economic inequality on Western Cape farms and effectively challenged unfair labour practices. The article argues that the movement, although facing historical conditions of disempowerment, has set up the foundations of an empowering representational structure. It has begun to address the social challenges of paternalism, patriarchy and racism between workers and, through an effective use of strategies that target both employers and government, successfully challenged numerous cases of unfair labour practice. Furthermore, beyond meeting its immediate aims, there are broader lessons that can be learnt from Sikhula Sonke.
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    A dying ideal: Non-racialism and political parties in post-apartheid South Africa
    (Taylor & Francis, 2016) Anciano, Fiona
    Non-racialism as a concept has a rich and contentious history in South African politics. For many it was a core feature of the struggle against apartheid, uniting a range of forces fighting for a society free from racial discrimination. Indeed it is a central tenet in South Africa’s Constitution, forming a core part of the ‘founding provisions’ of the country. However, there is widespread contestation over what the concept entails, both theoretically and in practical terms. This article examines the concept of non-racialism primarily through the lens of South Africa’s largest political opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), but relates its approach to that of the African National Congress (ANC). How has the DA conceptualised and instrumentalised the vision of non-racialism, historically and in post-apartheid South Africa? This article argues that neither the DA nor the ANC has been able to do so coherently. The idea of non-racialism is a fracture that deeply divides both parties; this division is also one that originated historically for both parties. The article concludes that there is a clear shift in how the DA envisaged non-racialism during apartheid and how the party instrumentalises the concept today, and that this change echoes, to some extent, the experiences of the ANC. Both parties now equate non-racialism to multiracialism, on the one hand, and a (interim) racialisation of politics on the other. This raises the question of whether non-racialism, as conceived by some in the early days of the Congress alliance, is a dying ideal.
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    Skills at masters’ level in Geography Higher E: Teaching, learning and applying
    (Taylor & Francis, 2006) Anciano, Fiona; Mistry, Jayalaxshmi; Berardi, Andrea
    The perceptions of ‘skills’ at taught Master's level between course directors (teaching of skills), alumni (learning and use of skills) and employers (the skills requirements) were compared within the field of development and environment studies. The findings underline some of the commonalities and discrepancies between what is taught, what is learnt and what is required in terms of skills. The results are discussed in relation to the growing diversity of students doing Master's courses, what constitutes Master's level, benchmark standards and employability. Furthermore, in light of the growing numbers of taught Master's courses, the paper also highlights the lack of pedagogic literature on taught postgraduate level teaching and learning, a need to improve benchmark standards for the teaching of skills at Master's level and support for staff development programmes.
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    Substituting for the state: the sovereignty impacts of diverse citizens’ off‐grid infrastructure strategies in South Africa
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) Anciano, Fiona; Culwick, Fatti Christina; Lemanski, Charlotte
    In South Africa, citizens in both low‐ and high‐income areas are increasingly providing their own services to mitigate the unreliability, unaffordability and inaccessibility of state services. This article examines diverse case studies across socio‐economic and residential typologies to explore shifts in service provision responsibilities from the state to the citizen. Applying an interdisciplinary approach, this article considers the political impacts of these strategies, arguing that the ways in which citizens supplement and substitute for the state contests and (re)negotiates spaces of sovereignty. While urban studies overwhelmingly analyse these actions through the lens of informality, we argue that sovereignty (the supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference) offers a less binary analytical lens. State substitution is increasingly a daily act for many, not only in low‐income settlements but also among elites. The article further examines state responses to citizen‐led actions in supplementing or substituting services, demonstrating how they range from inaction to permissive negotiation and, rarely, repression. Thus, the political impact of service substitution requires deeper reflection, raising questions regarding the nature of the state and the social contract.