Democratic transition in South Africa

The constitution helped opposing groups agree on common democratic rules. In exams treat the constitution as a tool of peace and trust.

The new democracy stressed reconciliation and justice rather than revenge. In exams see this as a condition for stable democracy.

Mandela's release made a shift from confrontation to negotiation possible. In exams link the role of leaders with institutional change.

The first democratic election established universal adult franchise. In exams link democracy with equal vote.

The movement showed that oppressive rule cannot remain legitimate. In exams connect legitimacy with rights and consent.

Rights created protection against future legal discrimination. In exams treat fundamental rights as limits on power.

The constitution balanced majority rule with rights and safeguards. In exams do not reduce democracy to majority rule alone.

De Klerk took steps toward negotiation and relaxation of bans. In exams understand transition through dialogue by both sides.

In South Africa the constitution institutionalised consensus and reconciliation. In exams mention the constitution as a tool of social reconstruction.

Avoiding revenge helped build trust between old and new groups. In exams link reconciliation with political stability.

Constitutional supremacy binds power to rules and rights. In exams present it as the opposite of arbitrary rule.

Long deliberation made the constitution more inclusive and accepted. In exams treat process as important as outcome.

The interim constitution provided rules and trust during transition. In exams understand it as a bridge.

Under apartheid civic rights were divided on racial lines. In exams present this as the opposite of democratic citizenship.

The new order made equality and human dignity the basis of democracy. In exams answer using the language of rights.

The commission tried to build trust through truth telling and reconciliation. In exams connect it with a balance of justice and peace.

An independent judiciary protects rights and the constitution. In exams link judiciary with constitutional checks.

Multi-party negotiations made the constitution more than one group's document. In exams connect legitimacy with participation.

The African National Congress gave major political direction to the anti-apartheid movement. In exams connect organisation with mass struggle.

The Government of National Unity helped partnership and stability during transition. In exams see it as a strategy of power sharing.