In this episode of Between the Lines, IDS Fellow, John Gaventa interviews Fiona Anciano and Joanna Wheeler who edited the book: Political Values and Narratives of Resistance: Social Justice and the Fractured Promises of Post-colonial States.
Listen now
The book brings together multidisciplinary perspectives to explore how political values and acts of resistance impact the delivery of social justice in post-colonial states such as South Africa and Zimbabwe. Examining important themes in political science, anthropology, sociology and urban geography, this book will appeal to scholars and students interested in political values, justice, social movements and resistance.
Everyday life in post-colonial states, such as South Africa and Zimbabwe, is characterized by injustices that have both a historical and contemporary nature. From fishers in Cape Town accused of poaching, to residents of Bulawayo demanding access to water, this book focuses on the relationship between the state and groups that have been historically oppressed due to being on the margins of the political, economic and social system. It draws on empirical research from 12 scholars looking at cases in Brazil, India, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Chapters explore questions such as what citizens, especially those from marginalized groups, want from the state.
The book looks at the political values of citizens and how these are formed in the process of engaging with the state and through everyday injustices. It also asks why and how citizens resist the state, with examples of protest, as well as less visible forms of resistance reflecting complex histories and power relations. Finally, the book explores how narratives and counter-narratives reveal the nature of political values and perceptions of what is just. Taken together these elements show the evolution of post-colonial social contracts.
Examining important themes in political science, anthropology, sociology and urban geography, this book will appeal to scholars and students interested in political values, justice, social movements and resistance.
With thanks to:
- Recorded, edited and narrated by Gary Edwards
- Music credit: Crypt of Insomnia/One Day in Africa (instrumental version)/Getty Images
Related links
About the editors
Fiona Anciano is a social science researcher with a broad interest in democratisation, civil society and political parties. She completed her MSc and PhD in Political Studies at the University of London, with her doctoral research focusing on the link between social movements, democracy and socio-economic inequality.
Dr. Joanna Wheeler is Senior Research Fellow at the University of Western Cape, South Africa and founder and director of TransformativeStory. Her current work focuses on how storytelling can cross social divides and challenge dominant political narratives of exclusion. Over the last 18 years, she has conducted more than 80 storytelling processes around the world, combining personal and collective forms of storytelling using drawing, dance, music, drama, photography, video, audio, and sculpture. She has worked with a wide range of groups, from activists against sexual violence in Cape Town to young people from southern Africa working for gender equity. Her blog, InsideOut, is on Medium.
About the interviewer
Professor John Gaventa is a political sociologist, educator and civil society practitioner with over 40 years of experience in research, teaching and organisational leadership in North and South. He is currently a Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies and Director of the Action for Empowerment and Accountability (A4EA) research programme.
Key contacts
