Towards a developmental state? Provincial economic policy in South Africa

Turok, I. (2010) Towards a developmental state? Provincial economic policy in South Africa. Development Southern Africa, 27(4), pp. 497-515. (doi: 10.1080/0376835X.2010.508582)

Abstract

This paper explores the meaning of the developmental state for spatial economic policy in South Africa. Two main questions are addressed: do provincial governments have a role to play in promoting economic prosperity, and to what extent do current provincial policies possess the attributes of a developmental state? These attributes are defined as the ability to plan longer term, to focus key partners on a common agenda, and to mobilise state resources to build productive capabilities. The paper argues that the developmental state must harness the power of government at every level to ensure that each part of the country develops to its potential. However, current provincial capacity is uneven, and weakest where support is needed most. Many provinces seem to have partial strategies and lack the wherewithal for sustained implementation. Coordination across government appears to be poor. The paper concludes by suggesting ways provincial policies could be strengthened.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Turok, Professor Ivan
• Authors: Turok, I.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Development Southern Africa
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 0376-835X
• ISSN (Online): 1470-3637
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2010 Taylor and Francis
• First Published: First published in Development Southern Africa 27(4):497-515
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher