The Political Economy of Policy Failure in the Post-Independence States
The paper aims to show that the concept of neo-patrimonialism will not necessarily reveal the inner logic of inherent contradictions with the principles of formulating and implementing propoor policy in the global south. Instead of neo-patrimonialism, the multiplicity and interconnectedness of the politics and class interests will be used to demonstrate how the appropriation of surplus through the commodification of economies created arrays of social interests, and the effect of this has on the function of the state and society as well as on the relative position of the different social classes. In the process, a distinction will be made between
the hegemonic class and the counter-hegemonic class and how the range of nuance in their social relationship articulates in the sphere and practices of the state. This may explain as to why policy analysis has to be moved from “what” to “who” benefits in policy formulation and implementation.
Aminur Rahim graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in Sociology of Education and is Associate Professor in the Department of Development Studies at the University of Fort Hare, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He has taught at the University of York, Ontario, Canada and Zimbabwe, Harare. He is the author of the book Politics and National Formations in Bangladesh
and has published articles on education and class formation, international politics, political development and multiculturalism and ethnicity.