Government, globalisation and business : the case of South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This case study examines the implications of globalisation for business-governmentrelations in South Africa since 1990. The study proposes that business, bolstered byglobalisation, is increasingly gaining influence in the policy process of South Africa.The unfolding era of neo-liberalism has ushered in an enormous surge in the power ofcapital and a decline in the organization and influence of labour. This surge in relativepower has allowed the South African business community, to impose its owndiscipline on government and to narrow the sphere of public decisions. Fear ofloss ofcompetitiveness, in attracting capital, both domestic and international, has forcedgovernment to make their policies increasingly capital-friendly rather than respondingto popular will or broad social interest.The study establishes the features of globalisation and South Africa's position withinthis process through an analysis of the relationship between the ANC and businessthat developed in South Africa between 1990 and 1994, and later facilitated theANC's acceptance of a neo-liberal macroeconomic strategy in 1996. By analysing;firstly, the influence of business within the policy-making process since 1996, andsecondly, the influence of business in the outcomes of government's black economicempowerment strategy, the study shows that business has attempted to optimise itsposition vis-a-vis the currents of globalisation.The study concludes that the working partnership between business and government,established in terms of the BEE strategy is based on the mutual need of each other, asboth government and business face the brutal capriciousness of foreign investment,the major challenge posed by globalisation. The South African business community ishowever in a unique position with respect to South Africa's ongoing transformation.Within the post-apartheid context, and South Africa's reconfigured power equationbetween government and business, globalisation would appear to give corporateSouth Africa added leverage over its rival social partners in the tug-of-war over theterms of development.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University