Social investment state

How suitable is a ‘developmental state’ to tackle unemployment, inequality and poverty in South Africa?

reads 19,576
Philippe Burger on 26 March 2014

The National Development Plan envisions the achievement of a ‘capable and developmental state’. Developmental states are usually associated with high economic growth. Such states in East Asia often are seen as models for SA to emulate. However, given the structure of the SA economy, state and society, a developmental state is not suitable, nor attainable. The concept of a social investment state is a better alternative, but it will need key institutional and policy reforms to work.