ABSTRACT
The application of Cohen's typology of denial to a specific history of government actions and inactions reveals a number of inconsistencies and possible loopholes in proving official denial. This chapter explores the politics of denial in order to achieve a better appreciation of the circumstances that might create situations where official denial becomes the preferred official response. South African government's use of this rhetoric of blame and denial could present a similar way of coping by simply pushing AIDS-issues to the wayside. Moreover, accounts of the epidemic are usually closely tied to apocalyptic descriptions of its devastating impact. Cultural and racial biases may foster cultures of denial that pervade society and are therefore also manifest in the actions of government officials. The prevailing conservative Afrikaans Calvinist culture of the time further entrenched denial of HIV and AIDS amongst white South Africans. The chapter demonstrates that official denial can be the result of a rich assortment of underlying political issues.
