The Political Future of South Africa by Edgar H. Brookes

The Political Future of South Africa by Edgar H. Brookes is an important early South African political study, published in Pretoria by J. L. Van Schaik Ltd. in 1927. Written during the Union of South Africa period, the book provides a fascinating contemporary examination of the political, constitutional and social questions confronting the country during the 1920s.

Brookes addresses a remarkably broad range of subjects, beginning with South African nationalism and the relationship between the country’s two principal white language communities of the period. Separate chapters examine what the author termed the “Colour Problems of South Africa”, providing modern researchers with a revealing primary-period perspective on racial attitudes and political thinking before the formal establishment of apartheid in 1948.

Further chapters of The Political Future of South Africa consider South Africa’s relationship with the British Empire, the country’s place within the wider African continent, the question of federalism versus union, parliamentary democracy and the development of South African political parties. A concluding chapter brings together Brookes’s observations concerning the country’s possible political direction.

This is the original 1927 edition of The Political Future of South Africa, attractively bound in grey-green cloth with black printed title, border and publication details to the front board, black spine lettering and bevelled board edges. An uncommon early Africana title with particular appeal to collectors and researchers of South African political, colonial and social history.

Condition – Good

Original 1927 hardcover showing noticeable shelf wear, rubbing, scuffing and surface marks to the cloth boards, with wear particularly evident around the edges and corners. There is a small hole/loss to the cloth on the spine. The black printed decoration and lettering remain clearly visible.