_____________ is a policy, unique to South Africa, that is founded on the idea of separating people based on racial and ethnic criteria.

Apartheid

The policy that is unique to South Africa and founded on the idea of separating people based on racial and ethnic criteria is called apartheid.

The policy you are referring to is called apartheid. It was a system of legal racial segregation enforced by the National Party government in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. The goal of apartheid was to maintain white minority rule by segregating and controlling the non-white population, primarily through the classification of individuals into racial groups and implementing strict laws that restricted their rights and freedoms.

To understand this information, you can search for "apartheid in South Africa" on reputable sources such as history books, encyclopedia articles, or government websites. These sources will provide detailed explanations and historical context about apartheid, including its origins, implementation, and the eventual dismantling of the system.