University of the Western Cape
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Department of Political Studies
Student Name: Kyle Felix
Student no.: 4389470
Lecturer: Lindokuhle Mandyoli
Tutorial Group: Group 3
Tutor: Asemahle Mahlungwana
Assignment: Major Essay
Due Date: 01 October 2024
Plagiarism Declaration
1. This summary/ exercise is my own work, and not plagiarised in any way. Plagiarism
is to use another’s work and pretend it is one’s own.
2. I know plagiarism is wrong. Plagiarism is to use another person’s work and present it
as one’s own.
3. Each significant contribution to, and direct quotation in this assignment that I have
taken from the works of other authors has been acknowledged and referenced. I have
not copied texts of more than 10 words without a reference.
4. I have not allowed and will not allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of
passing it off as his or her work.
5. I am aware of the fact that plagiarism could lead to the canceling of my marks and, in
serious cases, to expulsion from the university.
Signed…K. Felix…… …………………………… Date 01/10/2024………………
Introduction
A quality democracy is one where citizens enjoy a high level of freedom, equality, and
influence over policies and decision-makers, achieved through stable and effective
institutions (Diamond & Morlino, 2005). Central to this idea is the democratic norm of
participation, which ensures that individuals have the opportunity to actively engage in the
political process. In this essay, I will examine how the norm of participation is either
supported or limited in South Africa and China. First, I will outline the theoretical framework
surrounding democratic participation. Then, I will compare and contrast the political
environments of South Africa and China, specifically focusing on how each encourages or
restricts citizen participation.
Theoretical Framework
According to McCormick et al. (2019), "the quality of governance depends – in large part –
on the extent to which citizens participate (or are allowed to participate) in the process of
governing" (p. 216). Political participation encompasses the various actions citizens take to
influence governmental structures and decisions. These actions can either be conventional,
such as reaching out to representatives or supporting political candidates, or unconventional,
such as protests or civil disobedience (McCormick et al., 2019). Civil society plays a crucial
role in this, offering a platform for citizens to express their concerns and influence
governance. Edwards (2011) defines civil society as “the sphere of uncoerced human
association between the individual and the state, in which people undertake collective action
for normative and substantive purposes, relatively independent of government and the
market” (p. 2). This collective action enables citizens to work together to address social and
political issues. However, civil society also operates in a contested space, making it
vulnerable to manipulation and internal conflicts.
Case Study 1: South Africa
In South Africa, political participation is both recognized and protected by the Constitution,
especially under the Bill of Rights. The Constitution guarantees that citizens have the
freedom to participate in political activities, including voting and protesting. For instance,
Section 17 of the Constitution states that “Everyone has the right to assemble, demonstrate,
picket and present petitions,” which creates a legal framework that promotes public
participation in the political process (Republic of South Africa, 1996, §17). The government
acknowledges the importance of such participation. The Local Government Turn Around
Strategy, for example, points to “communities engaging in destructive forms of protest
including withholding of payment for local taxes and services” as a major cause of municipal
failure, indicating that even disruptive actions are viewed as a form of citizen engagement
(Mottiar & Bond, p.18). Protests often stem from local issues, such as dissatisfaction with
service delivery, and can prompt significant government responses. The Centre for the Study
of Violence and Reconciliation reports that in some cases, “there are highly visible responses
from senior ANC political figures,” which include actions like “the suspension of
municipalities, probes into alleged corruption by municipal employees, and concrete
initiatives to improve service delivery” (Mottiar & Bond, p. 21). Furthermore, voting remains
a fundamental democratic right in South Africa, allowing citizens to have a say in
governance. Overall, political participation in South Africa is strongly supported by the
Constitution, and both conventional and unconventional forms of political expression are
considered key to maintaining a healthy democracy.
Case Study 2: China
On the other hand, political participation in China is heavily restricted, despite constitutional
guarantees that, on paper, allow citizens to take part in government affairs. In practice, the
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) exerts tight control over public discourse and political
activities, often undermining these rights (Enserink & Alberton, 2016). For example, while
the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) legislation offers opportunities for public
participation, these are rarely implemented meaningfully. As noted, "despite the promises,
one finds in the letter of Chinese laws, a meaningful institutional framework to allow public
participation is lacking, even in the area of environmental protection” (Enserink & Alberton,
2016, p.17). Public protests, such as those opposing infrastructure projects in Shifang, reveal
citizens' frustrations, but these are often met with government repression, as authorities seek
to quash any challenges to their control (Enserink & Alberton, 2016). This creates a sense of
powerlessness among the public, especially when environmental concerns are disregarded.
Moreover, the challenges to fostering public participation go beyond weak environmental
laws, with "the poor prospects of strategic impact assessment and collaborative planning in
China” stemming from broader issues within state-society relations (Enserink & Alberton,
2016, p. 4). While China’s Constitution nominally supports political participation, the
government’s authoritarian policies severely limit the space for public engagement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a comparison of political participation in South Africa and China highlights
key differences in how this democratic norm is upheld. South Africa, despite its challenges
with inequality and corruption, fosters a political environment where citizen participation is
encouraged, and accountability is relatively high. In contrast, China’s tightly controlled
political system severely restricts public involvement and curtails democratic norms by
limiting citizen input and silencing dissent. This comparison emphasizes the critical role
participation plays in sustaining democratic values. Ultimately, building a political culture
that prioritizes, and safeguards citizen engagement is crucial to any democracy’s success.
Reference List:
Diamond, L., & Morlino, L. (2005). Introduction. In L. Diamond & L. Morlino (Eds.),
Assessing the quality of democracy (pp. ix-xiii). Johns Hopkins University Press.
Enserink, B., & Alberton, M. (2016). Public participation in China. Journal of Environmental
Assessment Policy and Management, 18(1), 1-
21. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/enviassepolimana.18.1.06
Edwards, Michael, ' Introduction: Civil Society and the Geometry of Human Relations, in
Michael Edwards (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Civil Society, Oxford
Handbooks (2011; online edn, Oxford Academic, 1 May
2012), https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195398571.013.0001, accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
McCormick, J., Hague, R., & Harrop, M. (2019). Political participation. In Comparative
government and politics (pp. 216-232). Bloomsbury Publishing.
Mottiar, S., & Bond, P. (2011). Social protest in South Africa. Centre for Civil Society,
University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Republic of South Africa. (1996). The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of
1996. Pretoria: Government Printer.
