Liberalism in South Africa
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This article gives an overview of liberal parties in South Africa. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.
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[edit] Introduction
Liberalism was not organized in South Africa until 1953, although there was some liberal tradition in parties present at the time. This changed in 1953 with the formation of the anti-Apartheid South African Liberal Party, which was multi-racial. A second liberal tradition started in 1959 with the forming of the Progressive Party.
[edit] The timeline
[edit] South African Liberal Party
- 1953: The South African Liberal Party is formed by Alan Paton
- 1968: The SALP is outlawed by the Apartheid regime
[edit] From Progressive Party to Democratic Alliance
Progressives or Democrats
- 1959: Liberal members of the conservative United Party seceded and formed the liberal Progressive Party. The parliamentary party is led by Helen Suzman
- 1975: The party absorbed the Reform Party, a faction of the United Party, and became the Progressive Reform Party
- 1977: After the dissolution of the United Party, former members merged into the PRP, which is renamed the Progressive Federal Party
- 1988: The PFP merged with the newly founded National Democratic Movement and the Independent Party into the Democratic Party
- 2000: The DP merged with the conservative New National Party into an alliance, the Democratic Alliance.
- 2001: The NNP left the alliance and the DP continued as the present-day Democratic Alliance
[edit] Liberal leaders
- United Party: Jan Smuts
- South African Liberal Party: Alan Paton
- Progressive Federal Party: Helen Suzman
- Democratic Alliance: Colin Eglin - Tony Leon
[edit] Liberal thinkers
In the Contributions to liberal theory the following South African thinker is included:
- Alan Paton (1903-1988)
[edit] References
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