A History of Inequality in South Africa, 1652-2002

In this major work - which took eight years to complete - Professor Sampie Terreblanche, a well-known Afrikaner academic of the University of Stellenbosch, provides an analysis of economic relations in South Africa. First, the book analyzes the work of numerous historians on inequality and exploitation in South Africa around a single theme: the systematic and progressive economic exploitation of indigenous people by settler groups. This synthesis is presented in a highly original, striking, and accessible way. Second, Terreblanche argues that, despite South Africa's successful transition to democracy, its society is as unequal today, if not more so, than ever before. In a final chapter, he argues that the current system of "neo-liberal democratic capitalism" is inappropriate to a developing country such as South Africa. He calls for a policy shift towards social democracy in which the state should play a more active role in alleviating poverty, redistributing wealth, and attending to social welfare.