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The University of New England, Armidale, Australia Journal of Asian and African Studies Vol. 24 (1989) PP. 259-262 [Research Communication] Martin Murray provides an excellent synoptic survey of recent trends [...]

Martin Murray provides an excellent synoptic survey of recent trends in South African historiography in which he claims that the twin perspective Marxist approach has replaced the liberal orthodoxy as the dominant paradigm. It is argued that Murray's survey is deficient in at least three ways. Firstly, the implications of the divisions between 'social historians' and 'structuralists' are not sufficiently explored. Secondly, the contentious periodisation issue is ignored. And thirdly, the impact of Merle Lipton's monumental study and the consequent possibility of a synthesis emerging are neglected.