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The Trade-Offs Between Distributive Equity and Democratic Process: The Case of Child Welfare Reform in South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2014

Krista Johnson
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Abstract:

This essay examines the tensions that emerged when South Africa's newly democratic government attempted to deliver reforms rapidly in the interest of distributive equity, sidelining the slower and more inclusive process of consultation with stakeholders outside of government. Its focus is on policy debates in the welfare sector over the new Child Support Grant proposed in 1997. An analysis of these policy debates reveals that consultation with stakeholders outside of government strengthened the democratic process and provided a necessary venue for citizens to engage government and have a say in the development process. However, this essay also suggests that with the introduction of the government's Macro-Economic Strategy for Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR), the policy terrain has become less consultative as the ANC government has increasingly centralized decision-making powers within the executive and cabinet. While in the short term this may be seen as a necessary measure in order to begin to address many of the pressing needs of the electorate, in the long run it has the effect of installing undemocratic practices and shifting the locus of power to those institutions of government that are least representative and accountable.

Résumé:

Résumé:

Cet article examine les tensions qui émergent lorsque le nouveau gouvernement démocratique d'Afrique du Sud essaie de mettre en place des réformes rapides dans l'intérêt d'une équité de distribution, tout en mettant en marge le processus plus lent et plus inclusif de consultation avec les parties intéressées à l'extérieur du gouvernement. Cet article se concentre plus particulièrement sur les débats politiques survenus dans le secteur des prestations sociales à propos de la nouvelle bourse d'allocation pour enfant proposée en 1997. L'analyse de ces débats politiques révèle que la consultation avec les parties intéressées à l'extérieur du gouvernement renforce le processus démocratique et offre aux citoyens l'arène nécessaire leur permettant d'interpeller le gouvernement et d'avoir une voix dans le processus de développement. Cependant, cet article suggère également qu'en raison de l'introduction par le gouvernement de la stratégie macroéconomique de Croissance, Emploi et Redistribution (Growth, Employment and Redistribution—GEAR), le terrain politique est devenu moins consultatif à mesure que le gouvernement de l'ANC centralisait de plus en plus les pouvoirs décisionnels au niveau de l'exécutif et du Cabinet. Si à courte échéance cette mesure peut être considérée comme nécessaire pour vite commencer à répondre aux nombreux besoins pressants de l'électorat, son effet à long terme est d'insuffler des pratiques non démocratiques et de déplacer le centre du pouvoir vers ces institutions gouvernementales moins représentatives et moins responsables.

Type
Articles
Information
African Studies Review , Volume 43 , Issue 3 , December 2000 , pp. 19 - 38
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2000

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