Dr. Sethulego Matebesi is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of the Free State, South Africa.

• List of Figures; List of Tables; List of Abbreviations; Acknowledgments; Introduction; A theoretical intersection of political trust, institutions, and actors; The evolution of the local governance in South Africa: The triumph or failure of participatory governance?; Schools and roads bargaining as power in predominantly black communities; Ratepayer associations and the 'cheque book' protests in predominantly white South African communities; Exploring the construction and evolution of the state response to community protests in South Africa; Conclusions: The implications and future of community protests in South Africa, Africa, and beyond; Notes; References; Index