Is it possible to develop a public order, which includes pluralism on the one hand and social cohesion on the other? Can the dilemma between nation building and pluralism be solved? In this study the author sets out to investigate the current debate regarding nation building and pluralism, the role of civil society and constitutional safeguards.The focus is on South Africa.There, after 1994, a democratic Constitution came into force, which serves as a basis of unity. But the Constitution recognises cultural, religious and linguistic pluralism as well.The ability to solve the problems of nation building and pluralism has become an international concern.The problems, mistakes and solutions in the South African debate on nation building and pluralism may serve as examples for the rest of the world.
Theo Brinkel (1958) is an historian, who has been actively involved in shaping Christian-Democratic political philosophy, both as a researcher and - currently - as a Member of Parliament of the Netherlands. He was an international observer at the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994 and has worked for Dutch programmes of supporting multi-party democracy in that country.