Local government and sustainable human development: local government as development agent in the promotion of local economic development

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The research report investigates the theoretical foundation of the understanding ofdecision-makers at local government level of the term development, with specificreference to local government as development agent and Local EconomicDevelopment. The choice of theoretical model by these decision-makers toconceptualise their understanding has historical and analytical antecedents, andsecondly, the decision-maker is faced with a basic dualism in developmental thinking,ie. the emphasis on universalism (global competitiveness) on the one hand and theneed for specificity (local economic development) on the other. The theoreticalprinciples and assumptions on which the neoliberal and market-orientated approach todevelopment is based are incorporated in the macroeconomic policy approach 'Growth,Employment and Redistribution' in South Africa. This approach has recentlyovershadowed the social welfarist developmental approach represented by the'Reconstruction and Development Program' or Sustainable Human Development. Thebasis for specific policy formulation and intervention strategies are found in thetheoretical assumptions, goals and objectives in each of these alternate approaches todevelopment.The research design for the study is primarily qualitative. A semi-structured interviewschedule is applied in directing in-depth interviews with identified central decisionmakersin metropolitan and larger B municipalities. The research design and processis constructed around three themes based on current and historic analysis ofdevelopment thinking as a means to address poverty and inequality: theme 1 -theoretical understanding of the term development, Economic Growth in the formalsector versus Sustainable Human Development; theme 2 - the nature and relevanceof participation by civil society in the Local Economic Development (LEO) process; andtheme 3- Local Economic Development and the role of infrastructure investment, landuse planning and zoning as intervention strategy. A benchmark position is developedon local government as development agent and LEO, using various sources, forexample, interview with Director-General in the Department of Provincial and Local Government dealing with Local Economic Development, the Constitution of theRepublic of South Africa and legislative acts and policy papers relevant to LED. Thisposition is compared with the position held by local government decision-makersdealing with LED.The analysis of the information collected suggests that the theoretical perspective andpolicy framework on development, participation and strategies to address inequality andpoverty, ie Sustainable Human Development (researchers title) held by the Departmentof Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) is not compatible with the definition andunderstanding of the majority of the decision-makers at local government level dealingdirectly with LED. The notion of participative development with anti-poverty strategiesfocussed on poor urban citizenry at the local level is not seen as the relevant theoreticalor applied focus by developmental decision-makers at municipal level. In addition,limited knowledge is available to local government decision-makers on both formal andinformal economic activity. In this regard, de facto leadership has already been handedover to formal-economy organisations and institutions. The idea of using land-useplanning and zoning regulations to reorientate economic activity to low- and informalhousing settlements and the reconstitution of low-and informal housing as sites ofmanufacture utilising flexible specialisation principles was positively received. However,the respondents were either not knowledgeable about these principles, for example;Globalisation of production and flexible production processes, or had not consideredthem in relation to their planning, land use or zoning and development functions.In the light of the above, the notion of local government as development agent withspecific reference to addressing poverty and inequality utilising the Local EconomicDevelopment process as envisaged by the Department of Provincial and LocalGovernment does not have the majority support of decision-makers at city and metrolevel. The majority of respondents defined the process of consultation as limited toformal economic sectors that were/could be competitive in the new global economy.The majority of decision-makers hold the view that the redefinition and location of sitesof economic activity could be delegated to these formal sector organisations andinstitutions. Their common understanding of development and the related interventionstrategies was based on formal sector growth and related job creation strategies, as well as the trickle-down of resources and opportunities to the informal sector. If theywish to remain relevant in this context the Department of Provincial and LocalGovernment has to develop intervention strategies to reorientate and redefine thetheoretical and applied definition of development held by the decision-makers especiallywith regard to Local Economic Development. If these issues are not addressed the formand shape of South Africa cities and metros will be based on the entrenchment andescalation of economic dualism and exclusion of the poor from any developmentaldecision-making and strategies. This has serious implications for the development oflocal democracies and developmental institutions based on the formulation andunderstanding of local conditions and circumstances of poverty and inequality andholds serious implications for social stability in the South African metros andmunicipalities in the future.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University