Introduction

The hypothesis of this book, that the rapid democratisation process experienced by many “third wave” nations has ushered in a particularly virulent form of invasive state, is grounded in three different, personal experiences. The first was my decade-long involvement as a political reporter covering South Africa’s extraordinary transition from racist apartheid authoritarianism to democracy. The second was an eight-year period during which I worked for the South African state advising the presidency, various government departments, parliament, the cabinet, officials and non-state actors on matters of democratic consolidation and governance. The third was the time when I lived, worked and carried out research in mainland China. All three experiences have had a direct impact on how I have come to view the state and the nature of power and their impact on people, institutions, the media, democracy and society at large.