Summary

In line with common efforts to measure the state of democracy in countries around the world, this study documents the results of a 'democratic audit' of South Africa. The survey was carried out by the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA), an independent, non-profit organisation, promoting democracy, governance, sustainability and social justice in South Africa. Some of the indicators used are: participation, elections, accountability, transparency, equality: socio-economic, civil and political rights; and human dignity. The statistical data is interspersed with a series of conceptual essays on democracy in relation to debate, business, capital, media, women, foreign policy, globalisation, accountability and citizenship.