liberalism in south africa

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.

Introduction

Liberalism wasn't organized in South Africa until 1953. There was some liberal tradition in parties present. 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.

The timeline

South African Liberal Party

1953: The South African Liberal Party is formed by Alan Paton
1968: The SALP is outlawed by the Apartheid regime

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 absorbsed 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

Liberal leaders

United Party: Jan Smuts
South African Liberal Party: Alan Paton
Progressive Federal Party: Helen Suzman
Democratic Alliance: Colin Eglin - Tony Leon

Liberal thinkers

In the List of thinkers contributing to liberal theory the following South African thinker is included:

Alan Paton (1903-1988)

References

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