Politics by Other Means Law in the Struggle Against Apartheid, 1980-1994

Politics by Other Means explores the fundamental question--how can law constrain political power--by offering a pathbreaking account of the triumphant final decade of the struggle against apartheid. Because blacks lacked political power and posed no real military threat, law played a central role in their resistance to white rule. Even though South Africa lacked both a bill of rights and a tradition of judges reviewing governmental abuses, lawyers won major victories, which exposed the vulnerability of the white regime and invigorated the opposition. Richard Abel presents case studies of ten major campaigns, including challenges to the pass laws, black trade union demands for recognition, state terror, censorship, conscientious objection, resistance to the "independent" homelands and treason trials. These stories bring the conflict vividly to life by using the words of their protagonists, drawn from court records, parliamentary debates, dozens of South African newspapers and interviews with lawyers, parties and witnesses. Politics by Other Means will be essential reading for anyone interesed in the struggle against apartheid and, more generally, the power of law to defend and serve oppressed people.Abel, Richard L. is the author of 'Politics by Other Means Law in the Struggle Against Apartheid, 1980-1994' with ISBN 9780415908177 and ISBN 0415908175.