Economic perfomance and state-business relations in post-apartheid South Africa
Date
2020-03
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Abstract
In this study the main concern is state-business relations in post-apartheid South Africa. Guided by the political theory of corporatism, the study considers the influence of state-business relations on economic performance. The obvious assumption is that sound state-business relations correlate positively with impressive economic performance.
Following the demise of the apartheid system of governance in South Africa, a corporatist institution known as the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) was established. Sub-optimal economic performance of post-apartheid South Africa has raised doubts about the efficacy of NEDLAC's role in fostering economic prosperity for the country.
It is contended that in many studies a substantive comprehension of what economic performance entails is absent. To overcome the lack of coherence in the conception of economic performance, this study applies economic growth, public debt and unemployment to measure economic performance. The study found that overall, growing public debt, high levels of unemployment and poor economic growth point to unimpressive economic performance associated with state-business relations in post-apartheid South Africa.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Management (in Public Policy) to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Keywords
Corporatism, Financialisation, Political exchange, Economic growth, Unemployment in South Africa