James L. Gibson and Amanda Gouws investigate the degree to which the political culture of South Africa and the beliefs, values, and attitudes of ordinary people affect democratic reform. One set of values is of particular concern for their research: political tolerance. Gibson and Gouws contend that political tolerance is a crucial element of democratic political cultures in general. And it is perhaps more important than any other democratic value in polyglot South Africa. "...an excellent illustration of how good social science can contribute to theory, research, and our political understanding of politics and society." Contemporary Psychology "Gibson and Gouws have created a pathbreaking study of political tolerance in a new democracy. It offers both fresh findings and questions for tolerance research..." American Political Science Review "From time to time there are works that change how we ought to think about important problems...[this] is such a work." Paul M. Sniderman, Stanford University "Jim Gibson and Amanda Gouws have written...a courageous book...a creative, meticulous, and thoroughly honest depiction of the condition of mass political tolerance in South Africa..." Law and Politics "[E]xcellent survey.... Defining tolerance as 'putting up with that with which one disagrees ..., allowing one's political enemies to compete openly for political power,' the authors surveyed a stratified sample according to province, race, and community size of the country's mass political culture.... Recommended." Choice "South Africa's transition from repression to democracy has been hailed as a miracle because so many had expected a bloodbath. Still, the infant democracy is grappling with many and daunting problems, such as the existence cheek by jowl with one another of a diversity of political and other ideologies, ethnic and racial groups and nationalities, as well as the necessity of dealing with the inequitites of the past, and having to combat one of the highest levels of HIV / AIDS pandemic and a burgeoning crime rate. No wonder intolerance should have raised its ugly head in such fertile soil. And it is a very serious problem. This gronudbreaking study of the problem is timely in looking for solutions to what could so easily subvert what so many laboured so valiantly for and many others gave their lives. It is to be welcomed enthusiastically." Archbishop Desmond Tutu This book investigates the degree to which political tolerance effects democratic reform in South Africa. James L. Gibson is Sidney W. Souers Professor of Government at Washington University in St. Louis. He has published four books and numerous articles on mass behavior and democratization in the United States, Europe, and Africa. He has recently held visiting research and teaching positions at the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa), the Institute for Social Justice and Reconciliation (South Africa), and the Russell Sage Foundation. Amanda Gouws is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Stellenbosch. She has been involved in numerous survey research projects in South Africa and has published academic articles on political tolerance, the electoral system, and gender politics in South Africa. Used Book in Good Condition