What does this research mean for the field?

The state's discourse on social cohesion in post-apartheid South Africa functions as a mechanism of knowledge production that shapes nation-statebuilding, resulting in outcomes that can be either inclusive and democratic or marginalizing and antidemocratic. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine how the state's discourse around social cohesion informs nation-building efforts in a post-apartheid context.

July 3, 2026Open Access

The 'state' of social cohesion: re-stating the question of social cohesion and 'nationbuilding'

Key Points

To examine how the state's discourse around social cohesion informs nation-building efforts in a post-apartheid context.
Engaged with state discourse on social cohesion
Analyzed the production of knowledge within the social realm
Investigated links between social cohesion and nation-statebuilding
Identified tensions between inclusive and marginalizing narratives in state policies
Highlighted the implications of antidemocratic tendencies in nation-building efforts
Showed how knowledge production affects social cohesion aspirations.

Abstract

This chapter's engagement with the state's discourse around social cohesion is informed by a concern with the way in which knowledge produces power. The methodology utilised here attempts to unpack the production of knowledge about the social realm in order to understand the way in which the state's aspirations towards social cohesion are linked to the project of post-apartheid nation-statebuilding, in a manner that is either marginalising or inclusive, democratic or antidemocratic.

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