Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses 2019 Forging a new consensus: NUMSA and ANC hegemony in flux in South Africa Benjamin Alexander Hale Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses Part of the African Languages and Societies Commons, and the Political Science Commons Recommended Citation Hale, B. A. (2019). Forging a new consensus: NUMSA and ANC hegemony in flux in South Africa. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2171 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2171 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. 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Forging a new consensus: NUMSA and ANC hegemony in flux in South Africa This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Politics and International Relations Benjamin Alexander Hale Edith Cowan University School of Arts and Humanities 2019 Abstract This thesis examines the extent to which the ANC is hegemonic within South Africa, the degree to which this hegemonic project is neoliberal, and how resistance to this project is articulated within civil society. Drawing on the work of authors such as Patrick Bond, Ashwin Desai, and Sagie Narsiah this thesis applies a Gramscian theoretical framework to examine ways in which neoliberalism is manifested through ANC economic policies and the ANC’s bid for hegemony within South Africa. It also explores the role of unions and social movements as sites of counter-hegemonic resistance, with an emphasis on the activities of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) after 2014. This study employs an interpretative methodological approach combining analyses of electoral data, newspapers and interview transcripts of ‘organic intellectuals’ to critique power and dominance in post- Apartheid South Africa. This is keenly informed by Gramscian understandings of hegemony and ‘common sense’ which emphasise the importance of ‘organic intellectuals’ in contesting and forming the structures of the historic bloc. This thesis finds that the hegemonic project centred on the ANC is limited or fractured, with the failure of the ANC’s broadly neoliberal economic policies fostering division within the Tripartite Alliance. Further, although neoliberalism has deeply penetrated ‘common sense’ understandings, growing criticism of the ANC has fundamentally undermined the state’s ability to mobilise consent and build consensus. However, this hegemonic project is highly elastic, with the ANC tempering its neoliberal policies with state interventions in the form of state housing, public-works programmes, and social grants. Thus, despite being perceived by ‘organic intellectuals’ as lacking hegemony, the ANC still has electoral hegemony and has succeeded thus far in preventing the emergence of an alternative hegemonic project. Further, NUMSA’s attempt to bring together unions, social movements and community organisations within a United Front are of limited significance in challenging the hegemony of the ANC neoliberal project. i Declaration ii Acknowledgements The production of this thesis has been a challenging and rewarding task, though it has felt arduous and overwhelming at times. I would like to thank those who have supported and assisted me throughout this long process, especially my family, friends, and long-suffering partner Leah, who has been a pillar of support when writing this thesis has felt Sisyphean. I would also like to express my gratitude to my supervisors David Robinson and Debbie Rodan without whom this thesis would not have been possible. David Robinson’s wealth of knowledge, willingness to listen and offer suggestions, and general support throughout my studies has significantly shaped my intellectual development. Meanwhile, Debbie Rodan’s insistence on structure and willingness to read, edit and provide commentary on vast volumes of writing in remarkably short periods, has greatly enhanced the quality of this thesis. I would also like to thank those individuals who have supported my intellectual and personal growth throughout this period, including family, friends and colleagues at Edith Cowan University. I must also thank those members of local reading groups whose stimulating discussions have assisted my intellectual growth throughout my studies. This work was also made possible by the participation and assistance of numerous South African scholars and intellectuals whose willingness to take time to talk to a student from a small university in Perth was greatly appreciated. Special thanks must also go to Edith Cowan University, Western Australia, whose friendly staff, resources and funding facilitated this study and provided me with the opportunity to experience the splendour and squalor of South Africa first hand. I must also thank those fellow travellers and local residents who made my research trip to South Africa such a rewarding and formative experience. iii Table of contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 2. Literature Review............................................................................................................... 6 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 6 Historical Representations in South Africa .......................................................................... 7 Early Representations .............................................................................................. 8 Apartheid Unravelling: The Road to Democracy .................................................... 9 Global Neoliberalism ......................................................................................................... 12 African Economic and Political Development: 1994 onwards .......................................... 18 African Economic Performance: 1970-present ...................................................... 18 Relations with Global Financial Institutions.......................................................... 20 Post-Apartheid Era: 1994 onwards .................................................................................... 22 The ANC in Power ................................................................................................ 23 Neoliberal South Africa ......................................................................................... 26 The Tripartite Alliance and the Legacy of Socialism ............................................ 29 African Social Movements ................................................................................................. 32 African Social Movements: A Brief Literary History ........................................... 32 South African Social Movements: A History of Protest ........................................ 34 Theoretical Shortcomings in the Literature ........................................................................ 38 3. Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................... 42 Marx, Gramsci and Arrighi ................................................................................................ 42 Hegemony .......................................................................................................................... 44 World Systems Theory and neoliberalism ......................................................................... 55 Rationale: Why historical materialism matters .................................................................. 59 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 71 4. Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 73 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 73 On Qualitative Methods ..................................................................................................... 73 The Interpretative Inquiry Approach.................................................................................. 74 Critical Discourse Analysis of Texts .................................................................................. 76 Data Collection Methods...................................................................................................