Democracy approaching crossroads: a South Africa’s crises of the rule of law.

Abstract

The concept “rule of law” is essential to global legal and political discourse, often referenced in various sectors of society, including politics, media, and government structures. However, what seems prevalent is that different groups often interpret the concept inconsistently. It is no exaggeration to state that there are myriad ways in which the rule of law is interpreted and understood. Hence, the divergent interpretations among ordinary people, politicians, and contribute to both theoretical and practical crises surrounding the concept. Against this backdrop, this thesis aims firstly to demonstrate the pervasive theoretical disagreements regarding the concept of the rule of law. Secondly, it seeks to highlight the emerging crisis of the rule of law in South Africa. In other words, it will present evidence suggesting that South Africa is currently facing a crisis in the rule of law. This will be achieved through a conceptual analysis of what the concept of ‘Rule of Law’ entails.