Into the Cannibal's Pot: Lessons for America from Post-Apartheid South Africa

by Ilana Mercer

Into the Cannibal's Pot: Lessons for America from post-Apartheid South Africa is a polemical work anchored in history, reality, fact, and the political philosophy of classical liberalism. It is a manifesto against mass society, arguing against raw, ripe, democracy, here (in the US), there (in South Africa), and everywhere. Into the Cannibal's Pot follows Russell Kirk's contention that true freedom can be found only within the framework of a social order. It is a reminder that, however imperfect, civilized societies are fragile. They can, and will, crumble in culturally inhospitable climes. The tyranny of political correctness, so unique to the West plays a role in their near-collapse. Advanced societies don't just die; they either wither from within, or, like South Africa, are finished off by other western societies. Ilana Mercer delivers a compelling book; it is required reading for thinking people who care about the destiny of western civilization.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Race, Philosophy, Africa, South Africa

346 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2009

About the author

ILANA Mercer is a paleolibertarian writer based in the US. She has been writing a popular weekly column, begun in Canada, since 1999. Ilana is the author of "The Trump Revolution: The Donald’s Creative Destruction Deconstructed" (June 2016), the first libertarian book of Trump, and of the seminal "Into The Cannibal’s Pot: Lessons for America From Post-Apartheid South Africa" (2011). Ilana’s weekly column appears in The Unz Review (America’s smartest webzine), Constitution.com, TownHall.com, the British Libertarian Alliance, Quarterly Review (the celebrated British journal founded in 1809 by Walter Scott, Robert Southey and George Canning), where she is contributing editor, and PRAAG (which advocates for Afrikaner self-determination). For years, Ilana’s “Paleolibertarian Column” featured on Russia Today and in Junge Freiheit, a German weekly of excellence. For 15 years—until March, 2016—Ilana penned WND’s “Return to Reason” column. Formerly syndicated by Creators Syndicate, Ilana is a fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (an award-winning, independent, non-profit, free-market economic policy think tank).

Reviews

[Kathy England · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who thinks that everything ended happily ever after for South Africa after apartheid ended needs to read this book. The Western media has done the world a disservice in ignoring the reality of the lawlessness and violence that is occurring there now. South Africa is on its way to becoming a third world nation from a modern, advanced society. This is not to say that apartheid was good, but the transition from apartheid has been handled extremely badly.

[Dan Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ilana Mercer has a gift for the written word that cannot be taught. She also has a brilliant mind grounded in fierce intellectual and moral courage. The result of this talent and courage is Into the Cannibal's Pot, a meticulously documented work that also manages to read like a page-turner given the power of the writing.

Perhaps you, like me, were indoctrinated at a young age about the evils of Western man, his rape of more earth-friendly cultures, his inherent racism given the power he yields in the socities he's conquered. You may have sat dumbfounded through it all, wondering how one group of people could be so bad while everyone else could be so good. A simplistic description of modern academia, perhaps, but one that anyone who's sat through an insufferable liberal arts course at most universities would probably recognize. Mercer blows the lie apart, demonstrating the adversity overcome by Afrikaners as they brought prosperity to a part of the world that had never seen it, the beneficial growth enjoyed by Afrikaners and blacks alike as a result of this culture, and finally, the systematic betrayal of this culture and disaster in the aftermath.

This book is no apology for apartheid, but instead a clear lesson in being careful what you wish for. The unthinkable hardship endured by South African whites may not get a lot of airplay in the West, but it is real, and it may be coming to a place near you if contemporary trends of rewarding sociopathic behavior continue.

This book was clearly a labor of love, difficult to read in certain places due to the graphic horror described, but I'm sure just as difficult for Mercer to write. Mercer's is a unique voice, a unique talent, and an honest account that must be told. Buy this book and your eyes will be opened.

[Freedom Hayak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ilana Mercer spells out exactly what is happening in South Africa in vivid detail and it's scary. But what is really scary is that she believes it is coming to a country near you, like the US of A. Ilana is South African but she now lives in the US so her perspective is very broad and well informed. She is also a masterful wordsmith and even though she is writing about a deadly serious stoic she manages to inject some humor in the pathos. I think this is an important book from an important voice who speaks for freedom and authentic equal treatment of peoples. Brava Ilana.

[TomBrevisse · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, having been a government official, this is the most important political book of our time. It is amazingly insightful and powerful in pointing out the existential threats that now face the West. If Mercer's voice remains one of those lone voices in the wilderness of modern politics, the West is doomed. A Masterpiece. Upper case "M."

[Youngblood Hawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Into the Cannibal's Pot reveals what happens when an advanced nation built by European people upon Christian principles is deceived by the Cultural Marxist dream of racial egalitarianism and in the name of justice and liberty surrenders political power to an African majority that had never shown the capacity to create or sustain a free, just, and civilized society. What we have witnessed since the end of Apartheid is African political leaders in South Africa dragging that nation down to the same violent, primitive and tribal existence found in every other failed African government, and for the same reasons.

Ms. Mercer's book tells the story of South Africa in the face of almost universal silence by the Liberal Media in the West. Her candor and lack of political correctness is refreshing and her application of the lessons of South Africa to America is instructive. Her book is a timely warning of what can happen when a nation leaves its core principles for the sake of poltical expedience and phony compassion and equality.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an open, questioning mind who wants to see what could happen in the USA if...

[Marc · Rating 1 out of 5]

When you are confronted with a de Tocqueville quote in the preface you just know you are in for a sophomoric diatribe of note. The premise and highly questionable credentials of this attempt at non-fiction left a decidedly sulphuric aftertaste. Historical revisionism, geo-political ignorance and a blatant disregard for the facts abound in what can only be described as a childish and at times dishonest attempt at provocation in order to boost sales of an odious non-event.

Now if the wannabe writer reclassified her clumsy attempt to join the community of the literate, as fantasy fiction, she may achieve a 2 star rating - on par with one of Frank Herbert's lesser known Dune sequels. You know, the ones where no-one really gives a shit what happens to them sand worms.

Potential readers please note that many white South Africans love living in one of the most fascinating, challenging and complex countries in the world. We have actually produced a few decent writers, the pantheon of which this 'author' is not part of in any way. There is a reason why respected publications like The Guardian or the New York Times won't touch her drivel with a barge pole.


A classic example of how far you can get with non-existing writing skills when you are 'connected'. The book's sales and positive reviews are directly proportionate to the number of bigoted, ignorant muppets out there. Avoid like the plague if you value your IQ.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hard read... Brings home some truths that are hard to swallow. More people need to read this book! Evoked many poignant feelings which leave a bitter taste in your mouth, but brilliantly executed and wonderfully thought provoking.

[Leib Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the story is told again.

Some government somewhere runs fine for a long while, and then black people take it over and things fall apart. Detroit. East St. Louis. Gary, Indiana. Flint, Michigan. Zimbabwe. And now, someone tells the details of South Africa.

This is a good book, but it will probably be the last of its kind that I read-- and the reason is because this author is already telling us something that everyone knows.

What distinguishes the South African case?

1. The government can massage the crime statistics-- or not release them;
2. The actual rate of crime is about 6 times higher (on a per capita basis) than the United States.
3. There are many ways to make inapt comparisons to try to excuse the fact that South Africa has reverted to the jungle.

Verdict: Worth the time (about a 5 hour read), but extremely depressing.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a very detailed and compelling book about the cruel and violent state as well as history of South Africa and even Rhodesia (briefly). Mercer is descriptive and erudite, tragically detailing the fall and evil of the once prosperous country. My only issue, and it is personal I suppose, is her insistence in pushing her libertarian ideology in almost every chapter. I was expecting a more rational or at least less overbearingly political recounting of the state of South Africa, but this was her story to tell so I cannot begrudge her for using this work in part as a vehicle for her ideas. Even so, it was a very informative book I'd recommend everyone picking up even if they just have to skim over or skip the more egregious libertarian-focused sections. I also had a problem with her denoting linguistic speakers to race instead of being honest. White people are being killed, and they are being pushed aside in favor of black and mexican people in American immigration systems but for some reason she describes this situation in terms of language instead of race? It's a knitpick, but I don't understand her angle. The book is a warning for White America, but she seems to half-ass communicating this explicitly, presumably out of fear of accusations of racism. Be honest and stand up for your people, please.

Overall though, great book.

[Karen Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughtful insight

For the most part I enjoyed reading this book and even bookmarked several passages for future reference. Why I gave it only 3 stars? I found the author's style of writing annoying. Some authors write for the purpose of how they will be perceived ie will the reader admire me for the way I've written this book. Others write with empathy for the reader ie will the reader be able to enjoy and absorb what I've written. This author seems to write for the former. A small point, I'm sure, but can be somewhat exhausting.

[Ryan Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

angry south african emigre rails against the current (2010) state of the nation, and warns that the usa may be next! scaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaary!

[Duncan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book by South African Jewish author, Ilana Mercer. Recommended reading for Springsteen, Bono, and other millionaire musicians who sang on the 'Sun City' record in the 1980s.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

surprisingly good points

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Into the Cannibal's Pot: Lessons for America from post-Apartheid South Africa" is a polemical work anchored in history, reality, fact, and the political philosophy of classical liberalism. It is a manifesto against mass society, arguing against raw, ripe, democracy, here, there, and everywhere. 'Into the Cannibal's Pot' follows Russell Kirk's contention that 'true freedom can be found only within the framework of a social order.' It is a reminder that, however imperfect, civilized societies are fragile. They can, and will, crumble in culturally inhospitable climes. The tyranny of political correctness, so unique to the West--plays a role in their near-collapse. Advanced societies don't just die; they either wither from within, or, like South Africa, are finished off by other western societies. Ilana Mercer delivers a compelling book; it is required reading for thinking people who care about the destiny of western civilization."

[Eric Ofinowicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly short book outlining the problems with post-apartheid South Africa which goes against the traditional liberal narrative about apartheid, South Africa, and the ANC. It ties this heterodox account into Mercer's argument against democracy (what she calls "majoritarian democracy"), and I think, succeeds at showing how precarious democracies really are on their own without institutions to tame the general will of the majority. She parallels problems in SA to issues in the United States, and her parallels are fairly sound throughout the book.

No, Mercer is not a racist. While her accounts of crime in SA usually focus on white victims, she does not proclaim supremacy for the white race. She is a federalist-capitalist supremacist; throughout the book she hypothesizes that SA would be in a better position if it lacked market controls and punitive taxes and if its political structure were more decentralized. Color her biased for, being an Afrikaner, focusing on the well-being of her Afrikaner siblings than other groups.

Her title comes from a quote from Ayn Rand where Rand disparages Christians "leaping into the cannibal's pot" to spread their faith. This idea is more relevant in the latter part of the book where Mercer disparages what she calls the "Anglo-American-Australian Axis of Evil" for dismantling Rhodesia and South Africa. Despite the utter calamity of decolonization in the rest of Africa (switching from white to black rule, effectively), the Axis was hell bent on dismantling apartheid and the Rhodesian electoral system for being racist and undemocratic. Outside of Iraq, the AAAA has not been as active at regime change as it was in SA and Rhodesia. When one looks at the Anglosphere's historic and current friends list (anti-communist dictatorships and Persian Gulf absolute monarchies) their antipathy is more rooted in a religious anti-racism than a commitment to 'democracy'.

Her chapter titles are quite sophomoric and she makes unnecessary puns in a few instances, but overall ITCP illustrates the horrors of majoritarianism and identity politics. I think this book's importance will grow as demographic change becomes more apparent in Europe and the US.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is obviously well-researched and draws upon the author's own experiences of growing up in, and ultimately fleeing, South Africa, among other sources. Its presentation is vibrant and vivid, and makes no apologies for the facts it presents, exposing the otherwise largely ignored filthy corners of what has been going on since the (much-needed) end of South African apartheid.

Where it fails to reach its potential is, I suspect, due to a lack of as much attention from editors as it deserves. Every book needs the polish of an experienced editor, and this one seems to have failed to receive that treatment. This is surely due, in large part, to the difficulties the author -- a political essayist of surpassing talent -- had getting it published. It had effectively been shut out of attention from major publishers, and ended up being published by a firm that seems to have lacked the resources to bring the production of this book to a more satisfactory conclusion. With the right editorial touches, it could have gentled some of its polemical tone from what is eminently appropriate to a brief essay, tightened up its structure, and smoothed out some of the phrasing. In all, as a fairly choosy reader with high standards, I still would have given it five stars if it had felt more finished in its published form.

It is certainly worth the read for the sometimes surprising information it contains.

[Gregory Selgrath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well researched and intelligently written. Although there is a huge amount of information in the book and the author is obviously passionate about the subject and the need for healthy discussion of its topics; it nevertheless begins to drone, unfortunately. It reads more like a text book than any other kind of book, probably because of all the historical reference...
A much needed counter to the liberal arguments that will brook no dissenting opinion under penalty of being labeled a racist or bigot.

[CJay Engel]

Review coming

[Simone · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had known the author was such a Jew hater, I never would have read this book. Thankfully I didn’t spend my own money on it; it was gifted to me. It is now decomposing in a landfill site somewhere.