Easy Chair No. 126, July the 11th, 1986 ""South Africa, Sanctions, and the Crisis of Western Policy

In this broadcast, R.J. Rushdoony and Otto Scott discuss the geopolitical and economic crisis in South Africa in the mid-1980s. They emphasize that external pressures, particularly Western sanctions and disinvestment campaigns, threaten to destabilize the country, creating suffering for both white and black South Africans. Scott highlights the strategic importance of South African minerals to Western defense and industry, warning that mismanagement or aggressive sanctions could strengthen the Soviet Union’s global position. The discussion also addresses the role of American “alienated intellectuals” and liberal activism, which, according to the speakers, impose ideological agendas without understanding local realities, undermining U.S. interests while exacerbating crises abroad. Rushdoony and Scott further contrast South Africa’s deeply Christian societal foundations with the liberal and secular humanist outlooks prevalent in the West. They argue that the media selectively portrays violence to advance ideological narratives while ignoring context and broader atrocities, creating skewed public perception. Both stress that faith, courage, and a realistic understanding of foreign cultures are essential for responding to complex international issues. Despite the grim outlook, Scott maintains a cautious optimism, noting that unexpected change is always possible and encouraging the Christian community to act faithfully and courageously."