The ‘Developmental State’

The catchword of the ‘developmental state’ characterised African debates since decolonisation. It is official currency in South Africa today.
 
But exploring closer, which kind of development and for whom it is, leads to sobering results. The developmental state was often a populist façade erected by a post-colonial elite suggesting development first, while democracy, human rights and social justice follow later.

Development hardly happened for anyone outside of the elite circles, and neither followed democracy and human rights. Development, in as much as democracy and human rights (or social justice, for that matter) is something people usually have to fight for.

In times of a global order dominated by neoliberalism, the role of the state changed in most countries dramatically, no matter under which label it was marketed by those spinsters occupying the commanding heights.

It has been increasingly demoted to a regulatory body in support of a so-called free market. Almost as a lubrication promoting smooth business by few at the expense of many.
Fundamental responsibilities earlier on vested in governance and the state have been privatised for profit maximisation. The devastating impacts for a majority of people are too visible.

A Responsible State

In contrast, a responsible state acting in the public (meaning: general) interest contributes to general security and wellbeing of all people living in the territory it represents.

This includes a protection against the abuse of access to public goods and the protection of non-renewable natural resources and needs to minimise if not to eliminate practices for the benefit of some at the expense of others.

This applies especially in the case of people who suffer marginalisation and are subject to states that are complicit with encroachment upon their means of livelihood and human security.

In Namibia, the illegal fencing off of land in communal areas requires the categorical intervention of a responsible state to protect the victims and prosecute the perpetrators. Similarly, the exploitation of potentially toxic resources such as uranium requires from a responsible state strict law enforcement for security of the workers as well as rigorous environmental impact assessments and control of emissions. A responsible state places the protection of its people and the natural habitat above any other considerations.

Laws are part of the instruments a state has, as well as tax policy. A responsible state needs to be a courageous state, confronting forces that disempower its people. Its legitimacy lies in its contribution to local and global equality and justice, its sense of awareness and solidarity that sustainable development needs to be development for all and cannot take place at the expense of others.     

The Namibian State

The Namibian state has to be measured along such criteria to judge if it fulfills its role and responsibility in terms of the public interest. Does it act as an agency promoting social justice and equality for as many people as possible?

Is it contributing to sustainable livelihood and promoting an environment securing a decent living for the citizens of Namibia and all other residents? Can we truly identify with the state as an institution deserving our confidence and trust?

The credibility of a state is also an indicator for the legitimacy of political office bearers and public servants. Do they truly serve the public interest?
Foreign interests are in almost any society seeking to pursue exactly that: their foreign interests.

No matter from where they come, they are not there as a mere act of philanthropy and solidarity. This is normal business. It therefore requires a responsible state to act as intermediary agency to reconcile different interests. Such state is guided by the general interests of the country’s people, and is not the transmission belt for the interests of a tiny elite in politics and economy.

As suggested above, however, state policy in many countries reflects these days to a large extent - not only but also in Namibia - the interests of the powerful at the expense of the majority. If Chinese (or any other) investors generate extra profits at the expense of the Namibian people, it is ultimately not them to be blamed, but our own government and the agencies it represents in such deals, as an agent for class interests at play.

It’s not the Chinese, stupid! It’s our own local elite, which sells out, using the state as a strategic vehicle in the promotion of its own interests and not those of the majority of people.

Professor Melber is Executive Director of the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation in Uppsala/Sweden and a member of Swapo since 1974. This article appeared in The Namibian of 8 May 2012.