The strength of a nation is not determined by the strength of its army, its economic position, or its government, but rather by how its citizens are regarded. To gain strength, a nation must respect the principle of solidarity; the power of one voice. Because without a defined sense of unity, a society risks collapsing. Unfortunately, as we have seen throughout history, civilization has often made it its mission to seek mutual differences rather than accept them. This fear of the unknown has led to mankind's most despicable behavior; the separation of individuals due to their physical characteristics. "Racism is the greatest threat to man... the greatest hatred for the least reason - Abraham Heschel." Not only has racism allowed the spread of unproven ideologies, it has also led to the disintegration of civilizations. Unfortunately, such tragic events have played a prevalent role in the history of Africa. Perhaps one of the most obvious forms of racism occurred in South Africa, during the apartheid era. From 1948 to 1994, non-white Africans were subjected to horrific treatment, imposed by the South African National Party. The abhorrent forms of racial segregation in South Africa, arising from race and colour, not only oppressed the black majority group, but also denied them any human rights or dignity. It can easily be said that the apartheid movement meted out cruel and unusual punishments to the people of South Africa in order to achieve its goal. However, apartheid could not have been implemented if individuals had not believed in its principles. To understand the ideologies of national parties regarding the issue of apartheid, it is essential to recognize the history of Boer soc...... middle of paper ......nica. Retrieved March 28, 2011, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/29332/apartheidBureau of African Affairs. (2011). Background note: South Africa. Retrieved March 28, 2011, from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2898.htmlCharlesworth, M. (1982). Science, non-science and pseudo-science: Bacon, Popper, Lakatos, Kuhn and Feyerabend on the definition of science. Vic: Deakin University PressDarwin, C. (2011). In the Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved March 28, 2011, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/151902/Charles-DarwinDeegan, H. (2001). The politics of the new South Africa: apartheid and after. England: LongmanJohn Dugard, Nicholas Haysom and Gilbert Marcus. (1992). The Last Years of Apartheid: Civil Liberties in South Africa. New York: Ford Foundation Marshall, D. (1987). Apartheid in South Africa. New York: Cambridge University Press