When we talk about hope in a political context, one is referring to hope for change that will be transformative, not merely in our individual lives, but affecting every one of us. In other words, in a situation like the current crisis in South Africa, many people despair and have a sense that government and the state will not be able to deliver a better life or an adequate life for very many people in this country. How should this be addressed? I have no blueprint but explore some of the alternatives there may be.

Professor Raymond Suttner discusses Part One of his column, 'Response to general crisis: Social hope and collective action for change in South Africa'

Click here to read the column.