Saul+Dubow+-+Afrikaner+Nationalism+%26+Apartheid
Introduction
This paper analyzes the conceptualization of race in the context of Afrikaner nationalism and apartheid.
Authored by Saul Dubow and published in The Journal of African History.
Examines the historical evolution of Afrikaner nationalism and its relationship with racial ideology.
Historical Context of Afrikaner Nationalism
Historical understanding of Afrikaner nationalism has evolved; it is no longer seen as a timeless or undifferentiated entity.
Afrikaner identity was forged from the late 19th century, focusing on capturing state power in the 20th century.
Omissions in existing literature regarding the intersection of Christian-nationalism, apartheid, and racism.
The Ideology of Race
Racist ideas are often discussed concerning their functional utility rather than their ideological content.
This study examines the internal logic of racist discourse and how it informed apartheid between the 1930s and 1950s.
The paper argues that Christian-nationalism provided a unique rationale for apartheid distinct from earlier forms of segregation.
Christian-Nationalism and Apartheid Theory
Christian-nationalism was malleable in using racist ideas to formulate a justification for apartheid.
Ideologues often preferred cultural essentialism over blatant assertions of biological superiority due to pragmatic reasons.
The paper posits that there was an entwined relationship between the concept of race and Christian-national ideology.
Racism as a Structural Element
Racism has been an inseparable part of South African society, particularly within Afrikaner nationalism.
Patterns of paternalism and prejudice are ingrained in the Afrikaner tradition; ideas of superiority and hierarchy are prevalent.
Popular racism must be studied in conjunction with theoretical racism, as both reflect and inform each other.
Afrikaner Nationalism's Development
The Boer War catalyzed the rise of Afrikaner nationalism as a mass movement against British imperialism.
Early Afrikaner nationalists were slow to address the relationship between black and white South Africans.
The ideology of apartheid began taking shape in the context of the changes brought on by the Second World War.
The Birth of Apartheid Ideology
Initial interest in apartheid from Christian-nationalist perspectives appeared in the 1930s with specific organizations promoting its ideas.
By the 1940s, various nationalist groups were converging in their thinking about race relations and apartheid policy.
Apartheid began to seep into political discourse, especially after Dr. Malan began to use the term frequently in speeches.
The Role of Religion in Justifying Apartheid
The Dutch Reformed Church's involvement in apartheid grew more pronounced during the 1930s and 1940s.
The church attempted to form a theological justification for apartheid, blending traditional teachings with nationalist rhetoric.
The concept of separation was framed within a context of historical narratives rather than theological mandates.
The Influence of Eugenics
A distinct sub-tradition of explicitly racist thought influenced through ideas from Nazi Germany and eugenics.
Eugenics played a role in the formulation of apartheid ideology with key figures advocating racial purity and the dangers of miscegenation.
Gerrie Eloff’s writings exemplified the merging of racial science with Christian-national thought, promoting racial hygiene.
Apartheid's Sociopolitical Context
The implementation of apartheid was also a reaction to social changes and pressures coming from the African national movement.
Policies created to address perceived threats posed by urban African populations and calls for a systematic re-ordering of social relations.
The apartheid regime presented itself as a guardian of white civilization while simultaneously suppressing black rights.
Conclusion
Afrikaner nationalism and apartheid ideologies have evolved amid changing political and social contexts.
The constant interrelation between race, culture, and national identity has shaped the discourse on apartheid.
Despite current critiques, the ideologies underpinning Afrikaner nationalism still have lingering effects in contemporary South Africa.