A stakeholder collective is the way forward, as the developmental state has failed us all
As we are approaching local elections, it is a good time to reflect on what are, arguably, the real systemic problems facing SA, and keep an eye on the approach of different candidates and parties regarding the issues discussed here.
Being or feeling trapped in a constraining socioeconomic and sociopolitical circumstance is first a human rights issue; if it is possible for people to have a better life, they have the right to that. It also has consequences for others and the whole social system. The agency problem has to do with a lack of agreement over who should be taking responsibility for what, in terms of addressing the first two problems, and questions about the implementation capacity of the state to be an effective agent of change and development. The prevailing arrangement is based on a monopolistic theory that is called the developmental state.
The key for sustainability is that it requires a process of societal development and not a dramatic revolution that produces temporary relief, or a prolonged evolutionary process that prolongs the process and in the end does not change the fundamental structure of society.The way in which it can be done is through an urgent, progressive, planned, and collaborative process of societal development. This is the solution to the ideas problem.
It must be an arrangement in which the state, business, organised labour, civil society, traditional authorities, faith-based organisations, development professionals and specialists, and whoever else may be relevant in the context, work together towards a common goal.It is an obvious idea, but it is realistically possible? Of course. It happened and is still happening in the world’s most successful countries.
Someone once told me that “whatever the plan is that you come up with, if there is no political will it will fail”. Of course, that is part of the problem of a monopolistic system; if the monopolist does not want to do something, then the others have no choice but to accept it. Therefore, the approach described here depends on the possibility of getting the non-state sectors on board and leaving the state players with little option but to join the party.