1. Constitution Hill Series Wits University Press, P&DM Inside Out
Louis A. Picard
Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
University of Pittsburgh
USA

2. The Book
Louis A. Picard
The State of the State: Institutional Transformation, Capacity and Political Change in South Africa
(Johannesburg: Wits University Press, 2005)

3. Next Two Books
The State Transformed: Negotiations, Liberalism and Democracy in South Africa
States within the State: Provinces, Local Government and Governance in South Africa
Both Books (hopefully) to be Published by Wits University Press as part of the P&DM series on Governance.

4. On-Going Research Themes
1. Institutional patterns of Democratic Governance
2. Decentralized Democratic Models
3. Foreign Aid and Technical Assistance
4. Organizational and Institutional Capacity

5. Conceptual Focus: The Institutional State
The Institutional State can be defined as the set of structures and processes;
including the public service, the nature of intra-governmental social relationships, and internal organizational dynamics--
which—though it evolves over time—is a permanent part of the dynamics of government.

6. The Need for Implementation in Governance
The Institutional State- Represents Societal vs. Individual or group interests
Structures and Processes of government beyond patronage and Crony Capitalism
Made up of Human and Structural (Organizational) Dynamics
Goal: Formal Rules, Common Values and Standard Modes of Behavior

7. “THE STATE OF THE STATE”
South Africa
“THE STATE OF THE STATE”

8. South Africa: 1994-2006 Three Tasks: Defined by SA Government
The Development of a Non-racial state and public service
The Development of a balance between the private and public sector that could meet the country’s overwhelming social needs
The Creation of a Policy Making process that could plan, coordinate and manage social and economic development

9. The Problem
The Poor Record of Developmental State Efforts in much of Africa
The Nature of Global Political Economy
Debates About Service Delivery and Structural Transformation
The Future of the Developmental State?

10. The South African Legacy
1.Historical Debates- Charterism and Non-Racialism and Affirmative Action
2. Legacy of Negotiations- Job Guarantees and Provincial Capacity (vis-à-vis Homeland Personnel)- Part of Apartheid System
3. Civil Service Reform- Limits of Reorganization after 1994
4. Continuity of Group Interests in Public Sector Prior to 1994 (Salaries and Benefits)

11. The Debate Around Affirmative Action
Public Sector Affirmative Action Efforts Necessary and Desirable but have only a short term impact.
Part of the creation of a Middle Class (or if one prefers a Bourgeoisie).
However Neglect of Human Resource Development and Affirmative Action in Education Surprising

12. UN Human Development Report, 1998
A Snap Shot
UNHDR Ranked South Africa 89th out of 174 countries worldwide in terms of efforts (In the middle).
South Africa was one of 74 countries with a lower human development index than its GDP ranking would suggest. (Suggests under-spending)
South Africa was ranked third in Africa but the inclusion of SA whites distorted the figures.

13. Measuring Capacity in South Africa
The Priority Given to Human Resource Development?
The Impact of Corruption and Patronage?
To Reform or Not to Reform Higher Education (Reform Efforts Delayed)?
Critics: Salaries, Group Interests and Privileges Rather than National Interests Often Prevailed.

14. The Dilemmas of Human Resource Development (HRD) and Service Delivery
Training vs. Education
Short Term vs. Long Term Investment
Bounded Knowledge and Bridging Training
Generic skills vs. Value Based Skills Development (in public sector)

15. Long Term Impact of Education
The Art and Science of Professional Education
The “magic” of higher education
Key: Higher Level Intellectual Development

16. Decentralization
“The State of the Provinces?”

17. Governance Issues
Focus on Institutional Legacy in Provincial and Local Government
The Role of Intermediate Government in South Africa
Defining Local Government: Primary unit of government that has both political leadership and bureaucratic structures

18. Historical Legacy
“Homeland” administrations and the administration of the New Provinces
Vested Interests during the Apartheid Period
Capacity Limitations and the State of the Province? (Special legacy of Gauteng and Western Cape?)
Debates devolved governance at Provincial and Local Government levels

19. Decentralization and Governance
Administrative- Delegated, Deconcentrated Capacity
Fiscal- Extent of Collection and Expenditure of Local Revenue
Political- Bottom up- (Primary but not exclusive Focus?)
Parallel vs. “Layer Cake” Decentralization

20. South Africa and Decentralized Governance
Centralized vs. Devolved Capacity
The Controversial Role of Provincial Governments
Urban vs. Rural Local Government
Metropolitan Regions vs. District Councils
Successes and Failures in Sub-National Governance

21. Current Questions and Debates- Unresolved Issues
Affirmative Action: Should focus be on Education vs. Employment in terms of Human Resource Development (HRD) - Trade Off: Capacity to Deliver Services
Governance: Should the focus be on Decentralization vs. Central Control
Development: Should focus be on State Led development vs. Market Development
Beyond Affirmative Action: The Use of Consultants and Contracting Out