Constitution Hill Series Wits University Press, P&DM Inside Out

Louis A. PicardGraduate School of Public and

International AffairsUniversity of Pittsburgh

USA

The Book

Louis A. Picard

The State of the State: Institutional Transformation, Capacity and Political Change in South Africa

(Johannesburg: Wits University Press, 2005)

Next Two Books

The State Transformed: Negotiations, Liberalism and Democracy in South Africa

States within the State: Provinces, Local Government and Governance in South Africa

Both Books (hopefully) to be Published by Wits University Press as part of the P&DM series on Governance.

On-Going Research Themes

1. Institutional patterns of Democratic Governance

2. Decentralized Democratic Models

3. Foreign Aid and Technical Assistance

4. Organizational and Institutional Capacity

Conceptual Focus: The Institutional State

The Institutional State can be defined as the set of structures and processes;

including the public service, the nature of intra-governmental social relationships, and internal organizational dynamics--

which—though it evolves over time—is a permanent part of the dynamics of government.

The Need for Implementation in Governance

The Institutional State- Represents Societal vs. Individual or group interests

Structures and Processes of government beyond patronage and Crony Capitalism

Made up of Human and Structural (Organizational) Dynamics

Goal: Formal Rules, Common Values and Standard Modes of Behavior

South Africa

“THE STATE OF THE STATE”

South Africa: 1994-2006 Three Tasks: Defined by SA Government

The Development of a Non-racial state and public service

The Development of a balance between the private and public sector that could meet the country’s overwhelming social needs

The Creation of a Policy Making process that could plan, coordinate and manage social and economic development

The Problem

The Poor Record of Developmental State Efforts in much of Africa

The Nature of Global Political Economy

Debates About Service Delivery and Structural Transformation

The Future of the Developmental State?

The South African Legacy1.Historical Debates- Charterism and Non-

Racialism and Affirmative Action

2. Legacy of Negotiations- Job Guarantees and Provincial Capacity (vis-à-vis Homeland Personnel)- Part of Apartheid System

3. Civil Service Reform- Limits of Reorganization after 1994

4. Continuity of Group Interests in Public Sector Prior to 1994 (Salaries and Benefits)

The Debate Around Affirmative Action

1. Public Sector Affirmative Action Efforts Necessary and Desirable but have only a short term impact.

2. Part of the creation of a Middle Class (or if one prefers a Bourgeoisie).

3. However Neglect of Human Resource Development and Affirmative Action in Education Surprising

UN Human Development Report, 1998

A Snap Shot1. UNHDR Ranked South Africa 89th out of 174

countries worldwide in terms of efforts (In the middle).

2. South Africa was one of 74 countries with a lower human development index than its GDP ranking would suggest. (Suggests under-spending)

3. South Africa was ranked third in Africa but the inclusion of SA whites distorted the figures.

Measuring Capacity in South Africa

1. The Priority Given to Human Resource Development?

2. The Impact of Corruption and Patronage?

3. To Reform or Not to Reform Higher Education (Reform Efforts Delayed)?

4. Critics: Salaries, Group Interests and Privileges Rather than National Interests Often Prevailed.

The Dilemmas of Human Resource Development (HRD) and Service Delivery

1. Training vs. Education

2. Short Term vs. Long Term Investment

3. Bounded Knowledge and Bridging Training

4. Generic skills vs. Value Based Skills Development (in public sector)

Long Term Impact of Education

The Art and Science of Professional Education

The “magic” of higher education

Key: Higher Level Intellectual Development

Decentralization

“The State of the Provinces?”

Governance Issues

Focus on Institutional Legacy in Provincial and Local Government

The Role of Intermediate Government in South Africa

Defining Local Government: Primary unit of government that has both political leadership and bureaucratic structures

Historical Legacy

1. “Homeland” administrations and the administration of the New Provinces

2. Vested Interests during the Apartheid Period

3. Capacity Limitations and the State of the Province? (Special legacy of Gauteng and Western Cape?)

4. Debates devolved governance at Provincial and Local Government levels

Decentralization and Governance

1. Administrative- Delegated, Deconcentrated Capacity

2. Fiscal- Extent of Collection and Expenditure of Local Revenue

3. Political- Bottom up- (Primary but not exclusive Focus?)

4. Parallel vs. “Layer Cake” Decentralization

South Africa and Decentralized Governance

1. Centralized vs. Devolved Capacity

2. The Controversial Role of Provincial Governments

3. Urban vs. Rural Local Government

4. Metropolitan Regions vs. District Councils

5. Successes and Failures in Sub-National Governance

Current Questions and Debates- Unresolved Issues

1. Affirmative Action: Should focus be on Education vs. Employment in terms of Human Resource Development (HRD) - Trade Off: Capacity to Deliver Services

2. Governance: Should the focus be on Decentralization vs. Central Control

3. Development: Should focus be on State Led development vs. Market Development

4. Beyond Affirmative Action: The Use of Consultants and Contracting Out