Plaaslike magsopset teoretisering : 'n sintetiese bydrae as gids vir die ontleding van Suid-Afrikaanse plaaslike magsopsette

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:1. Aim of studyThe main aim of this study is to collect and evaluate the different ways of the theorizingof local power configurations and to assemble the elements thereof in a theoreticalframework. A conclusion on the significance thereof for the South-African context is thendrawn. To reach this aim, it was attempted to identify all the basic elements of all localpower configurations and to show how the contents thereof change continuously and aredetermined by the powers therein.2. The nature of local power configurationsLocal power configurations are those networks of dynamic relations, which occur betweenpersons and groups and between persons and their needs, institutions and social,economical, political and natural environments, which influence people of a local politicalarea, their actions and opinions and thus control the issues and people of that area. Localpower configurations therefore consist of nine elements namely (1) changes which arecontinuously caused by (2) the biological characteristics and (3) interpretation of peopleand (4) by active powers which try to influence them. They are also further influenced bynatural powers (they are (5) the natural environment, (6) people's needs and (7) naturalresources) and created powers (they are (8) social patterns and products, (9) economicorder and (10) political processes and structures). These basic elements of local powerconfigurations exist under higher power configurations which consist of the sameelements. The complexity of local power configurations is related to the overlapping ofelements between these different power configurations. Neighbouring local powerconfigurations can also share elements so that changes in the elements of one powerconfiguration can have an influence on the neighbouring one. Similarly the changes in theelements of the power configurations on higher levels such as region, national and globalalso have important implications for the elements of local power configurations. Sinceactive powers bring their influence to bear according to their conscious or unconsciousinterpretation of their situation, their exercise of power is therefore continually unique and therefore unexpected changes of the elements may occur. In order to prevent this, thenational power configuration tries to structure the local power configuration in such a waythat it limits its space for unique power actions. In this study the relations between thesepowers and how they influence each other are treated in detail.3. South African local power configurationsThe local power configurations of South Africa function according to the same elementsthat occur at all local power configurations. The uniqueness of the South African localpower configurations lies only in the contents which are given to it in South Africa. Thecontents of South African local power configurations are largely prescribed by theconstitution and national laws. They specify the functioning of local politics in SouthAfrica, which forms an important aspect of local power configurations. This, togetherwith the nature of the South African cultural milieu and the nature of the naturalenvironment and human needs, has an important impact on local power configurations.Yet local South African people and groups maintain their ability through theirinterpretation to act within their circumstances in original ways and bring about positiveor negative changes to people's quality of life.4. Guide materialThis study tries to furnish guide material to prospective researchers of South African localpower configurations. Thereby academics can make a contribution so that local powerconfigurations are directed towards change which is beneficial to the people.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University