On the pitfalls of a developmental state

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Authors

Qobo, Mzukisi

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

Department of Political Sciences at the University of Pretoria

Abstract

Economic transformation has always been the cornerstone of the governing party since it assumed power in 1994. The notion of a developmental state has since the early 1990s been used as a catch-all phrase for the African National Congress (ANC) thinking on economic and social policies. There is even a subcommittee within the ANC called the Economic Transformation sub-committee, which is seen as the custodian of the ruling party's vision for socio-economic change, as well as offering broad guidelines for a range of policies that have to do with the economy. Over the years since the ANC came into power in 1994, the idea of building a developmental state has continued to serve as an organising principle to frame the nature of change desired by the government. It is a notion that is conceptually ambiguous and lacking in precision with respect to policy application.

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Keywords

Economic transformation, African National Congress (ANC), Economic transformation sub-committee, Socio-economic change

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Qobo, M 2014, 'On the pitfalls of a developmental state', Strategic Review for Southern Africa, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 96-110.