"An African Athens: Rhetoric and the Shaping of Democracy in South Africa offers an analysis of a new ecology of rhetoric - the reshaping of a nation into a democracy through rhetorical means. Author Philippe-Joseph Salazar examines the rhetorical transformation of South Africa from a nation divided by apartheid to a nation united in diversity. The remarkable case of South Africa raises fundamental themes of public deliberation and the rise of postmodern rhetorical democracy.

Salazar's intimate vantage point focuses on the striking case of a democracy won at the negotiating table and also won every day in public deliberation." "This volume presents a full-scale rhetorical analysis of a democratic transformation in the post-cold war era, and provides a study of the demise of apartheid in political and public rhetoric and communication. In doing so, it serves as a template for similar enquiries in the rhetorical study of emerging democracies.".

"Intended for readers engaged in the study of political and public rhetoric with an interest in how democracy takes shape, An African Athens highlights South Africa as a test case for the relevance of rhetoric studies in postmodern democracy."--BOOK JACKET.