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Volunteering and Democratization in Southern Africa: a Structural and Cultural Analysis

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Volunteering and Democratization in Southern Africa: a Structural and Cultural Analysis University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Sociology Sociology 2016 VOLUNTEERING AND DEMOCRATIZATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: A STRUCTURAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS Sara Compion University of Kentucky, [email protected] Digital Object Identifier: http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/ETD.2016.253 Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Compion, Sara, "VOLUNTEERING AND DEMOCRATIZATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: A STRUCTURAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS" (2016). Theses and Dissertations--Sociology. 30. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/sociology_etds/30 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Sociology at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Sociology by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained needed written permission statement(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine) which will be submitted to UKnowledge as Additional File. I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the irrevocable, non-exclusive, and royalty-free license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made available immediately for worldwide access unless an embargo applies. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to register the copyright to my work. REVIEW, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s thesis including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Sara Compion, Student Dr. Thomas Janoski, Major Professor Dr. Ana Liberato, Director of Graduate Studies VOLUNTEERING AND DEMOCRATIZATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: A STRUCTURAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College and Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Sara Compion Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Thomas Janoski, Professor of Sociology May 2016 Copyright © Sara Compion 2016 ABSTRACT VOLUNTEERING AND DEMOCRATIZATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: A STRUCTURAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS This dissertation examines the practices and social constructions of volunteering in Southern Africa. Grounded in structural and cultural theory, I focus on volunteering as the product, rather than the raw material, of political processes. My approach stresses the volunteers’ perspectives, yet centers on critiques of dominance. In doing so, I destabilize the view of volunteering as inherently pro-social behavior, or as intrinsically characteristic of deepening democratic systems. Combining evidence from Afrobarometer surveys and twelve months of ethnographic fieldwork in South Africa and Zambia I show how meanings and practices, not just resources and capital, shape the socially constructed nature of volunteering given specific historic, economic and political conjunctures. The findings reveal that contemporary practices of volunteering in Southern Africa are a consequence of poverty, paternalistic exchange relationships, and state-civil society partnerships undergirded by foreign development aid. The dissertation is structured around four empirical points. The first concerns who volunteers. I identify characteristics of Africans who are most likely to actively belong to voluntary groups, and pinpoint the role of foreign development aid and poverty in shaping the volunteer landscape. The second highlights the positive connection between civic culture and active voluntary group membership in Africa, but I argue that this association does not inherently translate into greater democratic gains for a country. The third emphasizes “why” people volunteer. I document the exchange nature of volunteering, revealing its practical function for maintaining social cohesion and augmenting social capital, while simultaneously entrenching social hierarchies and paternalistic inequalities. The fourth point offers a theory linking three orientations to volunteering with activities in three different types of civil society. These view can be “allegiant,” “opportunistic,” or “challenging” and steer people toward volunteer activities that match their inclinations to enhance, confront, or preserve given social systems. Throughout this dissertation I illustrate how volunteerism aids residents of complex, diverse societies to define new social relations, craft compatible identities, and make meaning of social change. I present an effort in doing a sociology of volunteerism from Africa, rather simply in Africa, which increases the generalizability of existing theories of volunteerism to post-colonial, developing country contexts. KEYWORDS: Volunteering; Civil Society; Southern Africa; Critical Theory; Ethnography; Multilevel Analysis. Sara R Compion 21 April 2016 Volunteering and Democratization in Southern Africa By Sara Compion Thomas Janoski Director of Dissertation Ana Liberato Director of Graduate Studies 21 April 2016 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THIS DISSERTATION WAS NO SOLO EFFORT. It was only possible because I was tremendously fortunate to have the love, care and support of many people near and far during the research, analysis, and writing process. As I learnt to say in Kentucky, to y’all I owe my deepest gratitude. In Lexington, Kentucky, it was Thomas Janoski, Carlos De La Torre, Janet Stamatel, and Hsian Ilahiane who formed my dissertation committee. They provided much needed guidance, insightful suggestions, and gentle criticism at every stage. I am especially grateful for the hours of conversation with Thomas Janoski, which generated new ideas and improvements in my work. Without his assistance I might never have finished the dissertation. Janet Stamatel consistently provided solid, practical and professional advice. She gave me her unreserved support and kind words just when needed, especially when I grappled with doubt in my own ideas and abilities. Carlos De La Torre and Hsain Ilahiane encouraged me, with good humor, to expand my critical thinking, and to see my own taken-for-granted assumptions with a fresh or different perspective. During my time at the University of Kentucky’s Department of Sociology I was privileged to have a supportive community of colleagues and friends surrounding me. Many people deserve my thanks for creating a stimulating environment in which to shape my ideas, and for their interest in my work: Claire Renzetti, Ana Liberato, Keiko Tanaka, Alicia Hullinger, Lisa Conely, John and Shelly Johnson, Kiyo Sakamoto, Jeremy Hickman, Lilian Brislin, Jamie Pond and Justin Condor. Dominique Zéphyr offered technical guidance through the challenges of multilevel statistical analysis. Mark and Mimi Kornbluh introduced me to a wider Africanist network. Discussions with Renfrew Christie and Lisa Cligget were immensely helpful in developing the ideas that ultimately became the chapter on volunteering as gift exchange. In addition, others made Lexington a welcoming place to live and grow. Their friendship and generosity has left a lasting impression on me: David Mohney, Cindy Jong, Daniel Halgin, Steven and Joanna Davis, Christine Smith, Kelsey Hanrahan, Tony Milanzi, Nicola and Brian Mason, Naomi Marshak and Susan Janecek, you are forever my dear friends. iv During my fieldwork in South Africa and Zambia I found many new friends and colleagues. To the people of Pretoria and Lusaka who welcomed me into your stories and experiences of volunteering, I cannot thank you enough. You have treated me with kindness, and were willing to share openly about your lives. John Mashaya and Eleonah Kapapa were excellent researchers and field organizers. Eleonah, your delightful good humor and tireless efforts to help me accomplish this project will never be forgotten. And John, you provided a different point of view that helped me rethink my own position as a South African sociologists. Along the way Lauren Graham, Helene Perold, David Everatt, Marja Hinfelaar and Godfrey Hampwaye gave comments and excellent guidance that were indispensible in focusing my analysis and shaping the qualitative chapters. I am most deeply thankful to my family, especially my mom Ruth, for demonstrating love, kindness, hard work, and selflessness. I could not have done this without your encouragement and willingness to share the hardships of being apart. To my brother and sister-in-law, Shem and Zendre Compion, your cheers and barrage of whatsapp messages provided levity and made me smile or ‘lol’ on the difficult days. To the de Jongs, Coopers, Compions, Bothas and Radleys, thank you for always cheering me on from afar. It is my honor to be a part of your families and to be able to rest in your
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