"The African National Congress has been in government now for almost two decades and will almost certainly remain the party of government in South Africa for many years to come. Its ways of thinking about politics, and about itself, will help forge the society's sense of collective purpose and shape the country's major political and policy choices. This book explores how ANC leaders and intellectuals have interpreted the historical project of their movement. It investigates three interlocked ideas: a conception of power, a responsibility for promoting unity, and a commitment to human liberation. It explores how these notions have shaped South African politics in the past, and how they will inform ANC leaders' responses to the challenges of the future."--Back cover.