Transformation 4 (1987)                                          Editorial
    EDITORIAL
      TRANSFORMATION 4 concentrates on Issues from a more long-term perspec-
  tive than usual. Two Important contributions are historical in content.
  John Hyslop provides an account of the movement for people's education in
  the 1950s that considers its strengths, weaknesses and contradictions and
  makes the contrast with present concerns in the sphere of South African
  education explicit. Rob Horrell examines political and social struggles of
  the 1920s In the agrarian economy and its relevance to contemporary South
  African capitalism. In so doing, he asks for a reconsideration of the
  debate about the class character and project of the South African state. He
  suggests that current views of the state are often too unproblstatical and
  dismissive, collapsing important different positions and social bases.
      Amongst those writers today who are again debating the character and
  historic formation of the South African state and economy is Merle Lipton.
  This Issue contains a review article by Bill Freund on Upton's work. He
  sees her Inadequacy at conceptualizing the state as one weakness in a work
  that defies simple characterisation.
      TRANSFORMATION 4 reproduces the inaugural lecture of the new rector of
  the University of the Western Cape. The transformation of this university
   into an Institution that defines itself as the 'university of the Left' is
  without real parallel. Gerwel sees UHC as being able to play a unique role
  in South African higher education precisely because of its independence
  from the state-bound traditions of the Afrikaans universities and the
  capital-bound traditions of the English universities now that it has eman-
  cipated itself from a closed racial entrance definition.
      This issue also includes another inaugural lecture by Colin Bundy. He
  places the trajectory of social struggles and political contestation in
  contemporary South Africa within a broad international rubric through
  making comparisons with classic revolutionary situations and considering
  some of the typologies of revolution in general that have seemed most con-
  vincing to him.
      One constitutional feature which appears to intrigue the entire politi-
  cal spectrum from the National Party to the ANC with regard to a trans-
  formed South Africa is a Bill of Rights. Would such a Bill enable change to
  proceed or shackle society? The issue is considered by Dennis Davis from
  both a legal and political point of view.
       The broader implications of transformation are central to all the
  pieces in our Issue from a variety of angles. Hopefully they will provide
  food for reflection and debate.