This book examines conflicting interpretations of the origins, evolution, and end of apartheid. Lipton asserts that it began around 1970 with relatively non-violent reform, and ended following President de Klerk's release of Nelson Mandela, and his reinstatement of the African National Congress and other organizations, in February 1990.

MERLE LIPTON is an Associate Fellow at Chatham House (the Royal Institute of International Affairs) and wrote this book while Senior Research Fellow at Sussex University, Brighton. Her publications include: Capitalism& Apartheid: South Africa, 1910-86; Sanctions& South Africa: the dynamics of economic isolation; State& Market in Post-Apartheid South Africa; and Land, Labour& Livelihoods in Rural South Africa.