The Contradictions of Community Politics
The African Petty Bourgeoisie and the New Brighton Advisory Board, c. 1937–1952
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8976131 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Gary Baines (0000-0002-3913-9435, Rhodes University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1994 |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 79-97 |
| Publication date | 1994-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Journal of African History (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0021-8537 • E-ISSN: 1469-5138 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0021853700025974 |
| OpenAlex | W2050395942 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 18 |
Studies of the politics of urban African communities in South Africa have focused on the sporadic manifestations of mass protest, identifying formal labour and political organizations as the prime agents of mobilization. Whilst some recognition has been accorded to the role played by vigilance and civic associations in contributing to the growth of community politics, Advisory Boards and other government-created institutions have been portrayed as ‘collaborationist’ bodies, and those serving on such Boards dismissed as ‘stooges’. Looking beyond the political rhetoric that has surrounded the Advisory Boards, the historical reality has been more complex. Although Advisory Boards lacked legitimacy, and were often powerless in policy terms, even progressive political organisations were prepared to use these ‘institutions of the oppressor’ to further their aims in the 1940s and 1950s. This case study of the politics of the New Brighton Advisory Board demonstrates the way in which such institutions provided a platform (albeit a limited one) from which African communities might be mobilized around the everyday issues of urban life. In this way, the Advisory Board contributed to the formation of a strong political tradition in the Port Elizabeth township. This tradition was appropriated by different political groups and used to mobilize the African community around a variety of social, economic and political issues affecting the township
Democracy · Government (linguistics · Legitimacy · Political economy · Political machine · Political science · Politics · Rhetoric · Sociology · African history and culture studies · African studies and sociopolitical issues · Law · Public Administration · South African History and Culture
An African bourgeoisie
Black politics in South Africa since 1945
The Oxford history of South Africa
The Making of Apartheid 1948–1961
Class and Consciousness
The Political Economy of Modern South Africa
Progressive port Elizabeth
Progressive port Elizabeth
The Triumph of Colonel Stallard
Passive Resistance in South Africa
Mass Movements and the Petty Bourgeoisie
Class and Colour in South Africa, 1850–1950
An African Bourgeoisie
Passive Resistance in South Africa
From populism to unionism
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,1 |
| Citation span | 1995 - 2012 (18) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |