Local economic development, industrial policy and sustainable development in South Africa : a critical reflection on three new policy frameworks

[摘要] This dissertation considers the coherence of the prescriptions contained within threerecently released government frameworks: the National Framework for SustainableDevelopment, National Industrial Policy Framework and National Framework forLocal Economic Development. A central assumption in this regard is that a level ofcoherence in policy prescriptions is necessary for effective and complementaryimplementation. Each of these frameworks has been developed in the context ofrenewed commitment from the South African state to halve unemployment andpoverty by 2014. It is likely therefore that the frameworks will affect resourceallocation with outcomes which will have impacts on South African society at large.Thus coherence is an important consideration.The analysis is undertaken against the background of:- a limited literature review on policy-making (within the broader policy studies field),- a discussion of the political economy of South Africa, and- a consideration of certain key debates within the global 'development' discourse.This includes particular reference to the concepts of 'sustainable development','industrial development' and 'local economic development' within that discourse.In addition, in order to gain some insight into the policy-making processes that werefollowed in the production of each of the frameworks, a limited number of keyinformant interviews was conducted. These interviews highlight certain elements andfactors that impacted on the final policy products and the compromises that werereached around policy content.The body of the analysis - a comparative content analysis of the frameworks - isundertaken through a discussion of the manner in which the frameworks deal withfour cross-cutting themes. These four cross-cutting themes are: eco-systemconsiderations, social considerations, economic considerations and institutional/governance considerations. This comparative reading of the frameworks exposescertain divergent policy prescriptions and confirms that disagreement exists withingovernment itself on the country's desired development path.The conclusion then discusses what is required to put in place a coherent policymaking system in South Africa. It is proposed that the accommodation of policycoherence should not come at the expense of diversity and the expression of'profanity' (contestation). The value of deliberative democracy, pluralism andcomplexity are highlighted in this regard. A number of recommendations are made.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University