The political economy of youth unemployment and its implications on violent service delivery protests in democratic South Africa.

Abstract

Youth unemployment is a global issue, with rates higher among young people than the general population. The literature highlights that politics, the economy, and different social factors influence the high unemployment rates among young people. In South Africa, the democratic government has struggled with persistently high youth unemployment, contributing to inequalities, political instability, and structural poverty. This has further increased dependence on government social services such as water, sanitation, and housing. When these services fall short, dissatisfaction often escalates into violent service delivery protests, especially in the local sphere of government. The paper uses qualitative secondary analysis and Berkowitz's frustration-aggression theory to explore the political economy of youth unemployment and its link to these protests in post-1994 South Africa. Based on the frustration-aggression theory, the findings from the literature suggest that while high youth unemployment contributes to a heightened sense of frustration, it does not directly cause violent protests. However, instant triggers, such as abrupt disconnections of utilities like electricity or the demolition of informal settlements, trigger violent protests to express their anger and demand services.