ETD: South Africa s stunted developmentalism: challenges of ideology and practice in building a developmental state

Lekorotsoana, Canisius

ETD: South Africa s stunted developmentalism: challenges of ideology and practice in building a developmental state

Thesis / Dissertation

2024

Abstract

This study examines the challenge of establishing a developmental state (DS) in South Africa by applying the paradigm of the developmental state. This is due to the governing ANC adopting DS as state policy in 2007, thus prompting investigation into its applicability to the South African environment. The study, therefore, links the DS model and its features to the four attributes identified in the ANC resolution on DS. It is a qualitative research study using interviews, archival research, review of secondary literature and various digital and social media sources as data. It suggests that although South Africa possesses the necessary attributes to establish a DS, its construction faces challenges. Among these are: a disparate and ineffective leadership in government and in the party embroiled in ideological contestations; a fragmented state lacking state-wide coordination, planning and implementation thus policy dissonance; lack of an economic elite bureaucracy coupled with weakness to deploy existing capacity and capability to areas of competencies; inability to harness society-wide consensus on developmentalism and the threat of corruption. The study's contribution is that it shows that there is awareness in the ANC of the gap between the party's ideological commitment and its practice of developmentalism. There is admission of the leadership and institutional weaknesses in the party which adversely impact the state, and the recognition that the ANC was not ready to govern despite the earlier rhetoric. Critically, there is recognition that the post-Polokwane environment collapsed earlier attempts made at creating institutional structures that are key to constructing DS. Therefore, the need to re-design the party. Second, strengthen institutional capacity and capability of the State. Third, develop symbiotic relations with, primarily, business, and social partners, to support the existing hegemonic developmental agenda.

Keywords

African studies

Reference:

Collections

PhD / Doctoral

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