The Study of Politics in South Africa: A Prolegomenon

This article anticipates the 50th Anniversary of Politikon, by suggesting themes that will need to be included in a comprehensive history of the development of the field in South Africa. It draws on Intellectual History, the Sociology of Knowledge and Institutional History to locate the development of the academic study of politics in South Africa and points to several proto-types of the discipline. Two major conventions' of Political Science are identified - one British and the other American. These traditions as well as the contributions of several political scientists are briefly discussed. The conclusion points to lacunae in the field, especially understandings of Africa and on the issue of voice.