The forces of nationalism, democracy, and capitalism dominate contemporary politics. Nations help organize political communities, identifying who belongs with whom. Democracy sets forth a just and legitimate way of governing the communities organized by nations. And capitalism sets terms for allocating resources, providing opportunities and discipline. We like to think these forces are compatible, that each uniquely reinforces the other. But such is not necessarily the case, as shown by the recent experience of South Africa. Capitalism and nationalism are not new to South Africa. Now they are pillars of constitutional democracy, but before they were pillars of apartheid. This course will use the rise, demise and aftermath of apartheid in South Africa to examine the relationship of nationalism, democracy, and capitalism. What was apartheid and how does democracy work against the background of entrenched poverty inherited from apartheid? What is nationalism in South Africa, what is its connection to "racism" and "racialism," and what do "democracy" and "nations" mean in a multi-cultural and radically unequal society? Format: discussion/lecture. Requirements: two short papers and a final exam. No prerequisites. This is an introductory course, open to all students, including first-year students. Enrollment limit: 39 per section (expected: 30 per section). Comparative Politics Subfield