Africa's Development Impasse : Rethinking the Political Economy of Transformation

Orthodox strategies for socio-economic development have failed spectacularly in Southern Africa. Neither the developmental state nor neoliberal reform seems able to provide a solution to Africa's problems. In Africa's Development Impasse, Stefan Andreasson analyses this failure and explores post-development alternatives. Looking at the post-independence histories of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the book shows three different examples of this failure to overcome the debilitating colonial legacy. Andreasson then argues that it is now time to resuscitate post-development theory's challenge to conventional development. In doing this, he claims, we face the enormous challenge of translating post-development into actual politics for a sustainable future and using it as a dialogue about what the aims and aspirations of post-colonial societies might become. This important fusion of theory with new empirical research will be essential reading for students of development politics and Africa. About the author 2 Acknowledgements 8 Key abbreviations 10 Introduction 12 The argument in brief 14 Outline of the book 18 Part One | From development to postdevelopment 24 1 | Foundations for development in southern Africa 26 Capitalism and development 26 The political economy of southern Africa 32 The targets of development 41 The struggle continues 45 2 | The elusive developmental nexus 47 Institutions, actors and development 47 The pursuit of private versus public goods 50 Developmental states and corporatism 54 Corporatism in southern Africa 57 The developmental nexus 64 Beyond institutional orthodoxy 69 3 | Beyond development 75 A modern predicament 75 Post-development theory redux 79 The ‘Afro-pessimist’ scenario 89 Modernity, alienation and ubuntu 94 Concluding thoughts on a ‘South–South’ dialogue moving beyond development 99 Part Two | Comparative regional trajectories 102 4 | Botswana: paternalism and the developmental state 104 Botswana’s miracle: the post-independence development trajectory 107 Explaining Botswana’s exceptionality 113 Benevolent paternalism or creeping authoritarianism? 118 Sociocultural foundations for rethinking development 124 5 | Zimbabwe: the failing state revisited 130 A violent birth 130 Independence and consolidation of power: an ongoing struggle 133 Structural adjustment, indigenization and the unravelling of patronage 140 The perfect storm: land invasions and Zimbabwe’s final descent into violence 151 Prospects for a new beginning in Zimbabwe 158 6 | South Africa: normalization of uneven development 165 Miracle, tragedy or just ordinary? 165 From exceptional case to ordinary country 169 African Renaissance or nativist cul-de-sac? 177 New directions with Zuma? 190 Strength in diversity? 200 Conclusion: comparative lessons from southern Africa 202 Notes 211 Introduction 211 Chapter 1 211 Chapter 2 214 Chapter 3 217 Chapter 4 221 Chapter 5 225 Chapter 6 229 Conclusion 231 Bibliography 232 Index 260 9781842779712 Orthodox Strategies For Socio-economic Development Have Failed Spectacularly In Southern Africa. Neither The Developmental State Nor Neoliberal Reform Seems Able To Provide A Solution To Africa's Problems. Africa's Development Impasse Analyses This Failure And Explores The Potential For Alternatives. Examining Why Botswana, Zimbabwe And South Africa Have Been Unable To Overcome A Debilitating Colonial Legacy, The Book Argues That It Is Time To Rethink The Political Economy Of Development. Building On The Path-breaking Work Of Post-development Theorists, Stefan Andreasson Navigates A New Way Through The Current Development Impasse. This Important Fusion Of Theory With Empirical Case Studies Is Essential Reading For Students Of Development Politics And Africa.--jacket. Foundations For Development In Southern Africa -- The Elusive Developmental Nexus -- Beyond Development -- Botswana: Paternalism And The Developmental State -- Zimbabwe: The Failing State Revisited -- South Africa: Normalization Of Uneven Development. Stefan Andreasson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [221]-248) And Index. Orthodox strategies for socio-economic development have failed spectacularly in Southern Africa. Neither the developmental state nor neoliberal reform seems able to provide a solution to Africa's problems. In "Africa's Development Impasse", Stefan Andreasson analyses this failure and explores the potential for post-development alternatives. Examining the post-independence trajectories of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the book shows three different examples of this failure to overcome a debilitating colonial legacy. Andreasson then argues that it is now time to resuscitate post-development theory's challenge to conventional development. In doing this, he claims, we face the enormous challenge of translating post-development into actual politics for a socially and politically sustainable future and using it as a dialogue about what the aims and aspirations of post-colonial societies might become. This important fusion of theory with empirical case studies will be essential reading for students of development politics and Africa Annotation Orthodox strategies for socio-economic development have failed spectacularly in Southern Africa. Neither the developmental state nor neoliberal reform seems able to provide a solution to Africa's problems. InAfrica's Development Impasse, Stefan Andreasson analyses this failure and explores post-development alternatives. Looking at the post-independence histories of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the book shows three different examples of this failure to overcome the debilitating colonial legacy. Andreasson then argues that it is now time to resuscitate post-development theory's challenge to conventional development. In doing this, he claims, we face the enormous challenge of translating post-development into actual politics for a sustainable future and using it as a dialogue about what the aims and aspirations of post-colonial societies might become. This important fusion of theory with new empirical research will be essential reading for students of development politics and Africa