Moderne staatkunde in die Republiek van Suid-Afrika

Abstract

Since the inception of Political Science, in classical Greece, political scientists have displayed a willingness to evaluate the political phenomena with which they were confronted. The earliest trend in Political Science was thus marked by its theoretical and normative nature, supported by a theosentric humanism. The establishment of the national state was followed by a superficialization from theosentric humanism to anthroposentric humanism, in which the temporary and secular aspects of human existence were stressed. Along with the natural sciences, seventeenth-century Political Science saw a development towards empiricism, which culminated in positivism and behavioralism. Together with a concomitant rise of messianic Socialism, this posed a definite threat to the theoretical and normative perspectives of Political Science. Totalitarianism, however, halted this process and a return to the theoretical and the normative basis can now be observed. In everyday politics, the question of what ought to be should also be posed, especially the question whether South African citizens are adequately equipped to handle their complex democratic rights and duties and whether or not more should be done in this respect. Democracy, as a form of government, is dependent on the participation of the common citizen, but the quality of participation is of the utmost importance, and therefore participation should also be tempered by self-control. The requirements set to democratic political participation do not always emanate from human nature, as seemingly opposed demands are put to it. Thus, the citizen is expected to act in accordance with reason, but not all political aspirations and goals can withstand a test by reason alone. Emotional considerations therefore have to moderate rational judgements. As reason is coupled to reality by emotion, emotional reactions have, in turn, to be controlled by rational considerations. Likewise, a balance between individuality and the obligations stemming from membership of a community has to be achieved, much in the same way as liberty and authority have to be harmoniously co-ordinated. In the end, democracy as a form of government can only function successfully when citizens display moderate, balanced attitudes towards political problems. Such attitudes can only be cultivated against a background of knowledge of political techniques, their limits and alternatives, as well as an awareness of human limitations and fallibility. This, in turn, can only be achieved when the child acquires a political awareness and an orientation towards political judgement. Political scientists in the Republic of South Africa should therefore endeavour to obtain wider recognition of Political Science as a subject in educational programmes. Educational authorities providing such schooling will be enabling the child to acquire a sound basis for exercizing political rights in later life and discharging the obligations arising from such rights. Every citizen should accept personal responsibility for the successful functioning of a democratic political system, but only a well-equipped citizen can accept such responsibility. The solutions to South Africa's problems are essentially of a political nature. Government alone cannot achieve much. Modern Political Science therefore has the task of searching for political truth, without being dogmatic about method or approach. Utilizing knowledge and insights thus provided, every citizen should, from childhood already, be enabled to discharge his political duties and obligations. Only then can the utilitarian maxim of the greatest happiness for the greatest number be achieved. To the attainment of this goal the Department of Political Science and International Politics at the University of Pretoria is committed.