Developmental States in Africa? A Review of Ongoing Debates and Buzzwords

Abstract

This article reviews the literature concerning the emergence of developmental states in Africa and gives an overview of debates on the usefulness of the 'East Asian model' for sub-Saharan Africa. The conclusion highlights how historic developmental states were often the product of trial and error rather than a grand plan; the concept of a developmental state therefore often works less as a model and more as a 'buzzword' with its own uses and effects.

Poultry-based poverty alleviation projects in Ehlanzeni District Municipality: do they contribute to the South African government's 'developmental state' ambition?

“…Lessons drawn from rural and agricultural development interventions implemented in other parts of the world such as East Asia, indicate that the developmental state model has the potential to yield remarkable success. For instance, application of pro-poor rural and agricultural policies in East Asia resulted in improved of rural incomes and enhanced levels of wellbeing (Routley 2014). Although, the Southeast Asian policy lessons are not a panacea to the South African challenges (Andani, 2012), they highlighted the potential of poultry in contributing to economic development and improving the livelihoods of the rural poor and marginalized groups in society.…”

Incorporating ‘‘Democratic Developmental State Ideology’’ into Ethiopia’s Ethnic Federalism – A Contradiction?

“…This doesn't mean that the government replaces the role of the private sector in the economy or the opposite; there is a place for both the government and the private sector. As Meles Zenawi, the late former prime minister of Ethiopia indicated, in a developmental state the government intervenes in areas where the private sector is unable to address or fulfill, perhaps due to the need for massive scale risky investment or short-term profit driven by the private sector (Routley, 2014).…”

Free-Market Economics and Developmental Statism as Political Paradigms: Implications for Water Governance Theory and Practice in Developing Countries

“…According to Radice ( 2008 ), the developmental state remains one of the chief points of reference, both analytical and political, for those who reject the current neoliberal global order. Proponents of the developmental state strongly believe that since there are so many imperfections in developing country market economies, it remains the responsibility of the state to step in and lead national planning and implement specifi c policies, plans, programmes and projects to drive the national development agenda (see Dassah 2011 ;Deen 2011 ;Routley 2014 ). The concept of the developmental state itself was popularised in 1982 by Chalmers Johnson.…”

“…It is also conceptualised as a set of institutions that structure the behaviour, preferences and strategies of all political actors, inside and outside of the actual state apparatus (Wong 2004 ). Ultimately, robust state-intervention measures determine the nature and pace of socio-economic progress (Routley 2014 ). The implications of this state-centric paradigm, both as an empirical reality to be studied and a theoretical construct to be debated, are far reaching, particularly when one considers governance of a resource sector such as water and sanitation.…”