Democracy is in decline all over the world – and it is particularly concerning that, after 30 years of freedom in South Africa, only 36% of citizens believe democracy has been successful.
This alarming fact was presented to delegates on the second day of the Trialogue Business in Society Conference by Professor Narnia Bohler-Muller, divisional executive of the Developmental, Capable and Ethical State research programme at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
Bohler-Muller delivered a TRI Talk on the topic ‘Democracy and social justice: realising our freedoms’ just two weeks before the national election on 29 May 2004. She drew on the results of an HSRC household survey of South Africans 16 years and older, which has been running for 20 years, providing strong longitudinal data about the state of democracy in the country.
Although 51% of South Africans believe life has improved since 1994, there are declining levels of life satisfaction as a whole, with the prevailing mood one of hopelessness and despondency.
“This kind of despondency can lead to political, social and economic instability,” Bohler-Muller explained, adding that the current lack of trust is due to the fact that “we don’t have efficient governance systems, or people working towards attaining social justice through the mechanisms we already have, as well as mediocre service delivery”.
Although South Africans are satisfied with social grants and their general freedoms, satisfaction around electricity has plummeted, with water and sanitation also becoming problem areas. Employment remains the factor the population is most concerned about.
Notably, the black population has been consistently dissatisfied with quality of life and wellbeing, while the white population has experienced much higher satisfaction comparatively. In addition, 24% of survey respondents noted that we have not fully dealt with the oppression of the past.
Worryingly, South Africans have diminished expectations of an improvement in the future. “This is disturbing because we need hope for the future,” Bohler-Muller pointed out.
Democracy and voting
Declining democracy is an international trend, with populations becoming more accepting of authoritarianism. “This may be because the ‘Asian tigers’ have noticeably brought people out of poverty and inequality, and increased employment,” said Bohler-Muller.
Figure 1: Declining demand for democracy – rise in fatalism (1999-2023 (%))
Figure 2: A progressive rise in democratic discontent 2003-2023 (%)
Declining confidence in core political institutions can lead to democratic discontent.
“The future outlook is strongly shaped by trust in our democracy to deliver social justice,” said Bohler-Muller. “Democracy on its own is not sufficient. We need a whole-of-society, collaborative approach – we can’t leave it to government to solve these problems.”
South Africans believe they have a duty to vote (70%) but 33% believe their vote won’t count, which means they don’t believe they can make a difference.
How to restore trust in our democracy
Bohler-Muller said we can’t continue to “walk down this dark and potholed road” without taking action.
She recommended the following steps for companies:
- Help to address poverty, inequality and unemployment, and improve the wellbeing and quality of life of all South Africans.
- Tackle corruption and encourage ethical conduct.
- Revive a belief in our Constitution, our constitutional values, and Bill of Rights. “If we don’t do that, we’re lost,” Bohler-Muller pointed out.
- Resolve the tension between the public and private sectors, and focus on job creation.
- Work with government and civil society on solutions.
She added that a democratic state cannot function when it becomes unstable, ineffective, and loses its legitimacy. “This is when citizens lose respect for the system and institutions,” she noted. “The way we need to deal with this is to look at the story with new eyes and realise we each have a role to play. We just need to do it together.”
She urged companies to live the values of our Constitution and protect the human rights of the people in their organisations.
“Develop a respect for others and uphold dignity of others,” she said. “It sounds ethereal, but it’s very important because when this happens people feel their voices are being heard, and their sense of despondency will be dealt with in some way.”
