OpenUCT :: Browsing by Author "Butler, Anthony"

Browsing by Author "Butler, Anthony"

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Open Access
An evaluation of Greene's resource theory of party dominance with reference to the South African case
(2021) Balt, Laurent; Butler, Anthony
The African National Congress is commonly thought of as a dominant party, which poses an explanatory problem – how and why is it dominant? Greene (2007) proposes that orthodox electoral market explanations fail to explain the persistence of dominant parties, and advances that “hyperincumbency advantages” (i.e. resource and policy advantages accruing to the dominant party) best explain how dominant parties persist, and that the decline in these advantages is linked with decline in party dominance. Greene's early analyses took place before the ANC qualified as a dominant party in his model: this dissertation seeks to explain whether his theory explained the ANC's party dominance and its declining electoral and ideological dominance. Methodologically, a theory-testing case study incorporating process-tracing approach is taken. The ANC's hyperincumbency advantages are described through case studies of the party's funding mechanisms, its relations with public resources, and a specific study of patronage within the ANC during Jacob Zuma's presidency. This dissertation finds that Greene's hyperincumbency approach was insufficient to accurately explain the ANC's dominance or its decline. Firstly, the ANC's electoral and ideological declined even as its access to public resources through what Greene terms a “national patronage system” increased. Secondly, the expansion of the aggregate opposition vote has been mostly due to splits off the ANC and declining partisan alignment with the party, rather than declining resource imbalances. An historical analysis of factionalism within the ANC since 1994 is undertaken. Factional dynamics within the ANC have proven important to party dominance, as the direction of patronage became primarily targeted at winning intra-party battles, and lack of factional management repeatedly caused damaging splits off the ANC. This thesis suggests that approaches to dominant party studies should consider the importance of factional management in maintaining party dominance, as a necessary but potentially insufficient condition.
Open Access
An assessment of corporate social responsibility in South Africa's mining industry : a case study of Anglo American Platinum's corporate social investment programmes in the area of education
(2016) Siyobi, Busisipho Ayakha; Butler, Anthony
The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda and practice has been a part of the global, academic and corporate debate for many decades. Policymakers are increasingly viewing the private sector as an important role player in contributing towards meeting the socio-economic developmental challenges. The research study has assessed the role of CSR in South Africa's mining industry with a focus on the basic education system; by unpacking the objectives and the key challenges of the provincial department of basic education in the North West and Limpopo provinces. This research study has made use of Anglo American Platinum's Corporate Social Investment (CSI) education programmes as a case study to further gauge the impact of CSR engagement and key challenges that prevail in the execution of CSI education programmes. The challenges pertain to poor coordination and cooperation, poor consultation and strategic planning and lack of consistent review of monitoring and evaluation of all the stakeholders involved. Therefore, the paper argues that company's interests, incentives and motives to engage in CSI education programmes is twofold: one; CSI is used to project public relations and as a 'window-dressing' exercise and two; businesses are gradually viewing CSI as a long-term investment towards social and human capital that will benefit the corporations in the future.
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Contemporary issues in political party funding and sustainability
(Fanele (Jacana Media Pty Ltd), 2015) Butler, Anthony; Fakir, Ebrahim; Lodge, Tom
It is sometimes argued that political funding in Africa has a distinctive character. Some scholars claim that a particular form of party–state linkage may be prevalent across Africa in which parties amass money from the state through patronage, clientelistic practices and political corruption (Van Biezen and Kopecky 2007; Basedau et al. 2007). The exploration of non-African cases, however, can help illuminate the common patterns that exist across a wider range of societies. In this way it can shed light on African political financing practices. The pathologies surrounding political finance in many African states, such as clientelism, influence-buying and corruption, are important aspects of political life across the developing world – and also, one might add, in the states of the north.
Open Access
Do Elinor Ostroms principles of successful institutions illuminate the challenges to participation in groundwater governance in South Africa? What limits are there to using Ostrom's principles to analyse groundwater governance challenged in South Africa?
(2016) Rust, Jennifer; Butler, Anthony
Elinor Ostrom's research has opened up a field of study into locally developed institutions for commons governance and has successfully disproved the notion that it is impossible for individuals to address collective problems cooperatively (Ostrom, 1993:110). South Africa has a semi-arid country with scarce water resources. Multiple diverse users such as farmers, private citizens, companies, and municipalities draw groundwater. Groundwater governance involves water allocation, regulation and management through socially acceptable institutions. This relationship between government and society is fundamentally a political one (Rogers, Hall, 2003). A primary concern of the new draft National Groundwater Strategy is governance and enabling the participatory processes involved (Department of Water and Sanitation, 2016). By drawing on Ostrom's principles of successful institutions to analyze groundwater governance challenges in South Africa it is evident that while her principles help to focus inquiry and largely reflect the literature on challenges to groundwater governance in South Africa. That said, Ostrom's principles may present an image of what aspects successful institutions tend to have, but these do not help us to develop a comprehensive understanding of the South African social and economic challenges to participatory institutional development. In South Africa the challenges of inequality and marginalization, and resulting social dynamics, as well as the issues of government capacity to be both a central actor and facilitative actor, and when each role is appropriate, are significant challenges to the sustainable governance of groundwater resources. The question of how to address these challenges must be addressed by government and all stakeholders if local participation is to be encouraged in South Africa.
Open Access
Evaluating the ombudsman : a preliminary investigation of South Africa and Botswana
(2005) Fani, Chazwagwa Edison; Butler, Anthony
In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, and in particular in South Africa and Botswana, the Ombudsman institution was only established in 1995 and 1997 respectively. The institution is still at an infant stage and needs to be nurtured and protected. The study seeks to demonstrate and evaluate the extent to which this institution has been effective in delivering justice in the public service. The comparative evaluation of the institution in the two countries seeks to find out the impact of the institution in society and the challenges that the institution encounters and hence inf1uence strategic interventions for improved performance.
Open Access
Evaluating the policy of South African Parliament : a case of tobacco control policy
(2009) Makan, Amit J; Butler, Anthony; Cameron, Robert
Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.
Open Access
An evaluation of UCT employment equity policy : the role of UCT in promoting employment equity (1995-2002)
(2002) Thokoe, Percy Ralodi; Butler, Anthony; Kuye, Jerry O
The 1994 democratically elected government underpinned crucial socio-political changes in South Africa. The historical imbalances created by decades of Apartheid policies demanded employment of specific programmes in order to correct the situation. The period witnessed major transformation that is mainly intended to accommodate the previously marginalised communities; blacks, women and disabled people. These changes brought about the birth of affirmative action. Therefore, this study’s intention is to seek to examine "How successful has UCT been in achieving employment equity and why?" The main aim of this study is not attacking UCT’s achievement of Employment Equity, but to establish UCT’s course of action as well as inaction in achieving Employment Equity and the promotion of Affirmative Action. Comparative study analysis is used as a tool to capture information and data around the progress made in achieving Employment Equity and the promotion of Affirmative Action at UCT.
Open Access
An exploration of 'Pentecostal/Charismatic' church responses to the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the Western Cape : a policy learning approach
(2009) Harvey, Ross; Butler, Anthony; Cameron, Robert
Most research on 'Pentecostal/Charismatic' Churches in South Africa, though, examines reasons for their growth and related socio-economic development potential. Not one examines their response to HIV and AIDS specifically. Therefore, this dissertation seeks to answer two important questions: (1): How are Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches in the Western Cape responding to the HIV and AIDS pandemic? (2): What Policy Learning can be derived from the examination of these churches' responses to the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the Western Cape?
Open Access
Facilitating policy formulation and policy implementation : a case study of policy on the prevention of mother to child HIV transmission in South Africa
(2006) Peterson, Jennifer; Butler, Anthony
This case study explores the evolution of South African policy on prevention of mother to child HIV transmission (PMTCT). It employs the advocacy coalition framework developed by Paul Sabatier to analyse the factors that have hindered and facilitated the alteration and subsequent implementation of PMTCT policy. It provides a clear illustration of the impact that actors outside of the government can have on policy change and policy implementation.
Open Access
Greene's resource theory of single party dominance
(2019) Ulla, Heidi Emberland; Butler, Anthony
Single-party dominance (SPD) is a phenomenon that has puzzled many scholars within the field of political science, as it does not fit into the standard dichotomy of democracy versus dictatorship. Kenneth Greene’s Resource Theory seeks to explain prolonged electoral dominance in these systems by looking at resource asymmetries between the governing party and the opposition. Greene applies his theory to democratic and non-democratic SPD systems alike. In order to expand knowledge in the field of SPD research, this thesis has provided a critical analysis of Greene’s theory using South Africa under the ANC within the timeframe of 1994 to February 2018 as an illustrative case. The thesis concluded that the Resource Theory could not be used for explaining ANC dominance, and indicated that resources have a limited power to explain SPD. As such, the aim of the thesis is to uncover theoretical weaknesses of the theory. Firstly, it is argued that the theory is weakened by the use of subjective and sometimes arbitrary concepts which hamper testability. The main theoretical flaw identified is Greene’s assumptions of the nature of such systems, in which he sees the dominant party as one unit. I argue in this research that this assumption renders the theory unable to predict the consequences of factionalisation within the dominant party. Three main factors are identified to justify why resources have limited explanatory power. Firstly, factionalisation leads to intra-party competition for state resources, and these factions become dependent on a steady stream of resources to sustain themselves. This competition can become so fierce that the economy suffers. When resources become less available, these conflicts intensify. Consequently, the dominant party starts deteriorating from within and misconduct can no longer be concealed from the public. As the government becomes less responsive in terms of providing public goods in combination with increased public awareness, voter dissatisfaction also intensifies. This eventually leads citizens to abandon their allegiance to the party. The research study shows that resources are not independent from external and internal environments, indicating that asymmetric resource advantages alone cannot explain why these systems exist over longer periods of time.
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How Democratic is the African National Congress?
(Taylor & Francis (Routledge), 2005) Butler, Anthony
This article explores three dimensions of ANC democracy: the movement’s entrenchment of liberal representative democracy, its pursuit of national democratic revolution, and its internal organisational democracy. It identifies tensions over the meaning and significance of democracy and the relations between internal democratic processes and external democratic goals. The movement has defended constitutionalism but failed to entrench democratic attitudes or to prepare for a multi-party system; it has promoted social transformation but failed to buttress the minimal gains of liberal democracy; and it has prevented debilitating conflict over policy and candidate selection but grown increasingly intolerant of internal debate and competition. The article finds no inexorable authoritarian logic at work. However, it identifies anti-democratic tendencies that require intentional political amelioration if they are not to become mutually reinforcing.
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The Idea of the ANC
(Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd, 2012) Butler, Anthony
Open Access
Interest mediation and democratic transitions : NEDLAC and South Africa's experiment in Corporatism
(2002) Manji, Nadine; Butler, Anthony
The release of Nelson Mandela in 1990 marked the beginning of a transition process during which South Africa would finally move from an authoritarian apartheid state to a democratic state that respected and upheld the basic principles of human rights. The field of ""transition politics"" is huge. It necessarily encompasses and is a reaction to the years of history prior to the period of transition, which may have (and has often) been marked by struggle, whether it was violent or passive, against the former regime. It covers areas as broad as the field of politics itself from constitution design to public administration reform. Ultimately the raison d'etre of a political transition period is encapsulated in the attempt to create a utopian ideal state or political entity which corrects the perceived injustices and faults of the system it is attempting to replace or redesign. This dissertation focuses on a small but nonetheless significant area of that attempt to create the ideal political system. It is an area than has been and remains particularly pertinent in South Africa and was particularly important during the transition period, namely the intermediation of the demands of interest groups, and in particular, the mediation of the demands of key producer interest groups.
Open Access
Intergovernmental fiscal reform in South Africa : preference matching, efficiency and accountability
(2007) Banda, Raymond Lorato; Butler, Anthony
The central purpose of this paper is to assess whether the South African intergovernmental fiscal relations system enables provinces to achieve preference matching, efficiency and accountability. In the final analysis the paper contests that the system does not enable preference matching because of centralized policy making, provincial over reliance on national transfers to finance their expenditures and the fact that the system was not necessarily crafted for purposes of preference matching but national unity and the need to address the imbalances of the past.
Open Access
Language rights, ethnic politics : a critique of the Pan South African Language Board
(2003) Perry, Timothy; Alexander, Neville; Heugh, Kathleen; Butler, Anthony
Bibliography: leaves 228-245.
Open Access
Oversight in local government in South Africa : a case study of the Ombudman's office for the City of Cape Town
(2009) Nagia-Luddy, Fairouz; Naidoo, Goonasaigree; Butler, Anthony
The municipal ombud is a relatively new concept in South Africa and only two municipal ombud offices currently operate within the country. While there is a growing body of literature on the organisational ombud, as well as established works on various classical ombud, the practice of 'ombudsing' within local government currently enjoys no consistent or comprehensive theoretical foundation, particularly in relation to the required structure or processes, institutional support systems, or legal frameworks for the effective or optimal operation of an institution of this nature. The ombud at the local level calls for a hybrid approach to the ombud practice, and further requires particular arrangements to ensure the independence and credibility of the institution. This paper explores some of these critical factors required for the effective operation of an ombud, such as its 'independence' and 'credibility'. Linked to these factors, are aspects relating to the ombud's 'accountability'. Whereas the office has to ensure organisational accountability to the public, it also has to report to the host organisation. The result is a form of dual accountability, which means that the office needs to optimise its credibility and legitimacy both in the public realm, and within the host organisation. This dissertation argues that while such paradoxes are not uncommon to oversight institutions, numerous problems arise as a result of the lack of a clear and coherent approach, and the lack of understanding of the basic requirements for the ombud's effective or optimal functioning.
Open Access
Policy Development in the Tripartite Alliance, 2007-2012: An application of the Multiple Streams Framework
(2021) Cupido, Simone; Butler, Anthony
The tripartite alliance is an unusual structure of governance which consolidates the rule of the African National Congress (ANC) as a dominant party through three parties each with a unique ideological trajectory and constituency base. The structure is a unique space for policy formulation and agenda setting and often finds itself in conflict about policy approaches and directives. In 2012 the National Development Plan (NDP) came into fruition and the period prior to its production saw policy consensus on developmental policy approaches within the Tripartite Alliance as a structure. Using this instance of policy making within the Tripartite Alliance this thesis asks: How does policy happen with in the Tripartite Alliance. To answer this question, the public policy scholarship framework known as the Multiple Streams Framework as founded by John Kingdon, breaks policy processes into three distinct themes, analysing exactly how policy occurs in the structure. This analysis will therefore test the theory of the Multiple Streams Framework on the case study of development policy making within the tripartite alliance between 2007 and 2012, discerning how useful it is in answering how policy happens within the structure.
Open Access
Politics gone viral : social media and political mobilization : in what respects are social media effective tools for initiating political mobilization and stimulating political change in order to challenge authoritarian regimes?
(2014) Webb, Dominique Victoria; Butler, Anthony
The rise of new media has continued to have a profound effect on the global political system. Social media in particular have seen an exponential increase in penetration globally. The recent Arab uprisings that began in 2010 across the MENA region have challenged authoritarian resilience, which has been a prominent feature of the region for several decades. This project examines the rise of social media and their effects on the political system, specifically the role played by social media in undermining the power of authoritarian regimes. Traditionally authoritarian regimes have used many methods in order to maintain power. These have included: maintaining a strong coercive apparatus, the strategic introduction of certain institutions and the role of traditional legitimacy, and/or charismatic or personalistic leadership. This dissertation considers whether the use of social media has changed the balance of power within states enabling citizens to overthrow their authoritarian leaders. Two case studies; Tunisia and Syria are analysed to show the effects of social media on the political uprisings in both nations.
Open Access
The politics of numbers: National membership growth and subnational power competition in the African National Congress
(Johns Hopkins University Press, 2015) Butler, Anthony
The ANC has experienced rapid membership growth in recent years. This paper explores competing explanations for this growth, and concludes that subnational political competition and national factional conflicts, rather than deliberate membership recruitment campaigns, have been the primary drivers of increased numbers. The paper goes on to assess the implications of this dynamic of membership change for party organisational challenges.
Open Access
Resource nationalism and the African National Congress
(Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2013-01) Butler, Anthony
This paper explains the politics of mine nationalization in contemporary South Africa. Nationalization and privatization typically occur in the oil, mineral resources, and state utilities sectors, and they tend to follow one another in a long-term cyclical pattern. The paper explains why the current international environment has encouraged demands for nationalization and other forms of ‘resource nationalism’ in the South African minerals sector. It goes on to describe how the resurgence of resource nationalism has been influenced by internal factional politics in the African National Congress. It concludes that nationalization is unlikely to be the outcome of current policy deliberations within the ANC.