scholarly journals Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice: Reviewing the functions and powers of local government in South Africa

2009 ◽  
pp. 107-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Christmas ◽  
Jaap De Visser
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Government ◽  
New South ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Bottom Up

The chairperson of the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on local government recently described local government in South Africa as “a chicken whose legs have been tied for too long”. In other words, even when the fetters that bind the chicken’s legs are loosed, it remains at a loss for what to do with its newfound freedom (Tsenoli 2007). This descriptive analogy ostensibly refers to the failure of local government to harness its newfound power in post-apartheid South Africa and to claim its rightful position as the driver of development at the local level, and instigator of bottom-up growth and progress, which is meant to shape and transform society in the new South Africa.

Leading from behind: democratic consolidation and the chieftaincy in South Africa

2004 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Michael Williams
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Democratic Consolidation ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
The Social ◽  
Transformative Process ◽  
Official Recognition ◽  
Societal Relations

Despite the dramatic changes that have occurred in South Africa over the last fifteen years, the chieftaincy remains an important political institution that continues to exercise authority. It has not only been given official recognition and protection in the constitution, but has attempted to become more involved in activities such as development, local government, and elections. How this institution might affect the process of democratic consolidation, however, has failed to generate much research. This article explores the ways in which the chieftaincy has responded to the introduction of democratic electoral practices at the local level. While the chieftaincy has not been immune from the social and political changes that have swept through the country since the transition, it has nonetheless sought to direct, or redirect, these changes in ways that bolster its own authority. Many local communities expect the chieftaincy not only to assist with the formal electoral process, but also to allow for more participation within local level chieftaincy institutions. A close examination of chieftaincy–societal relations demonstrates that while the chieftaincy has been affected by new democratic rules and practices, it has also influenced how local communities practice and understand these same rules and practices. This mutually transformative process illustrates the complexity of democratic consolidation, as well as the ability of the chieftaincy to adapt to changing political and social environments without sacrificing its unique claims to authority.

Local Government Reforms in Federal Brazil, India and South Africa: A Comparative Overview

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-470
Author(s):  
Helder Do Vale
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Transition To Democracy ◽  
Institutional Processes ◽  
The Past ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Government Reforms

This article examines the changes at the local level of government that have been taking place in Brazil, India and South Africa for the past thirty years as a result of complex federal decision-making processes. I summarize the most important federal traits of these countries and identify the role of key institutions behind the fiscal, political and administrative changes in local governments. The article draws on the institutional processes to dissect the anatomy of local government reforms in these countries and concludes that although the changes in local government structures and powers have been taken against the background of transition to democracy and/or democratic deepening, the scope of change in local government varied.

scholarly journals Provincial–regional ANC politics in the Northern Cape: corruption or everyday informal practices?

2017 ◽  
pp. 96-118
Author(s):  
Thina Nzo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Political Leadership ◽  
The Political ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Council Decision ◽  
Patronage Politics ◽  
Northern Cape

Research over the last decade on local government in South Africa has highlighted that some municipal councils under the political leadership of the Africa National Congress (ANC) have shown weak political leadership, coupled with strong patronage systems, rent-seeking and corruption which have had an impact on the institutional functionality of municipalities in South Africa. Although patronage politics have been predominantly used to analyse the dynamics of post-apartheid local government ANC politics and councillor representation, this prevents us from understanding the representational focus of ANC councillors in decision-making processes. This paper offers an ethnographic insight into experiences of ANC councillors and the political complexities involved in council decision-making. Using ethnographic research, this paper will analyse how a political decision by the ANC provincial party, which was supported by the ANC regional party at local level – to erect a statue of Nelson Mandela in one of the municipalities in the Northern Cape – generated tensions amongst ANC councillors who strongly viewed their primary role as promoters of better ‘service delivery’ rather than approving the allocation of scarce municipal resources for erecting a statue. The paper reveals how the dominant presence of ANC sub-regional structures at local level contribute to the complex interaction of both ANC party political and municipal organisational rules and norms that influence and shape councillors’ choices in decision-making.  

Model (my) neighbourhood – a bottom-up collective approach for crime-prevention in Portugal and Lithuania

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Saraiva ◽  
Irina Matijosaitiene ◽  
Mónica Diniz ◽  
Vilius Velicka
Keyword(s):  
Crime Prevention ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Social Constraints ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to respond to the need for comparative studies on methodologies for implementing Crime Prevention through Urban Design and Planning (CP-UDP) at the local level, particularly in peripheral Europe where CP-UDP’s top-down standards have poor dissemination and acceptance. This paper debates how local partnerships can help reduce crime and how a CP-UDP-based model can be introduced into municipal planning. Design/methodology/approach The paper discusses the challenge of CP-UDP in the framework of a post-crisis Europe and Europe 2020. Because there is a large gap between theory and practice, lack of a shared holistic approach, and scepticism, or lack of knowledge, of public authorities, at local-level planning professionals and the police have devised bottom-up initiatives based on interdisciplinary partnerships with the community. The paper describes, discusses and compares the implementation of such approaches in Lisbon (Portugal) and Vilnius (Lithuania). Findings The paper addresses the processes and challenges of establishing synergies and working relationships between police officers, public officials and the community, and it discusses six main causes for its (un)success. When these conditions were met, crime and social constraints reduced. Practical implications Lessons learned are deemed crucial to disseminate knowledge and best practices, paving the way for proper top-down policies and planning legislations in these and other countries. Originality/value This paper analyses the potentialities and shortcomings of local-level implementation of CP-UDP strategies as an alternative to failed top-down strategies in two realities mostly unknown of the international scientific community. The case study material is previously unpublished internationally.

Evaluating Public Participation Mechanisms in LA21 Programs in Malaysia

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 76-83
Author(s):  
Hardev Kaur Latchimanan Singh ◽  
Shamsinar Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Public Participation ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Agenda 21 ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Local Agenda 21

Objective - The role of local government in LA21 is important in order to harness local level participation. In Malaysia, as in many other countries, the need to engage the public in sustainable development issues has shifted the focus to more decentralized and bottom up approaches in harnessing public participation in achieving sustainable development. This means that local authorities as the leading partners in LA21 need to work with the local community and the private sector to develop community action plans for sustainability under Local Agenda 21(LA21). Thus, the overall goal of the study is to determine how participation can best be implemented in LA21 programmes in selective councils by evaluating the key participatory mechanisms that have been employed by the councils. Methodology/Technique - This is a qualitative study that was conducted on four specific councils in West and East Malaysia to determine the effectiveness of the participatory mechanisms used in LA21 programs. The main methods of data collection were through the use of semi-structured interviews, focus groups and document analysis. Findings - The overall conclusion is that the councils were still using the conventional methods to encourage public participation and hence were not able to enhance public participation in the LA21 program. Novelty - The study will not only create a framework for local councils intending to implement a bottom-up approach to participation but also establish a base-line description of participatory mechanisms in LA21 programmes to encourage further research in this area of evolving LA21 research. Type of Paper: Empirical Keywords: Public Participation; Participatory Mechanisms; Local Government; Local Agenda 21; Sustainable Development. JEL Classification: H83, Q01.

scholarly journals The Joy of Joining Up: Modes of Integrating the Local Government Modernisation Agenda

10.1068/c0135 ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Cowell ◽  
Steve Martin
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Local Level ◽  
National Level ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Government Reforms

Since 1997, local government in the United Kingdom has found itself at the sharp end of an ambitious programme of potentially far-reaching reforms known collectively as the ‘local government modernisation agenda’ (LGMA). These initiatives are intended to promote ‘joined-up government’ and holistic service delivery—two of the hallmarks of New Labour's approach to public service improvement. To date there has been very little analysis of the ways in which local authorities are approaching this task at a corporate level. The authors examine the theory and practice of joining up policymaking and service delivery in local government. They draw upon an analysis of the perspectives of key actors involved in the formulation and implementation of current local government reforms at the national level and the experiences of a sample of authorities that have been among the most active in seeking to integrate the various elements of the LGMA at local level. The evidence suggests that the superficially attractive logic of more integrated policymaking and service provision, which runs so strongly through current reforms, belies the multidimensional nature of joined-up working. The presentation of the LGMA as a coherent package of reforms therefore disguises the degree to which different forms of joining up may conflict. In particular, the push for closer vertical integration between local and central government, with ever-tighter control being exerted from the centre over priorities and performance, is seen as constraining progress towards more effective horizontal joined-up working at a local level.

Local government and coastal damage: confusion, potential and dreams

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Andrew H. Kelly ◽  
Jasper Brown ◽  
Aaron Strickland
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
New South ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Coastal Damage

Purpose This paper aims to not only disentangle the recently altered law and policy on coastal management in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, but also raise opportunities for fresh ideas to develop when dealing with both existing and future coastal damage. The focus is on the role of local government which is not only closer to concerned citizens but also faces costal damage on its own doorstep. Design/methodology/approach The paper explores the topic from the beginnings of relevant statutory law to the current situation, supported by a case study. It is transdisciplinary in nature, encompassing land use and coastal legislation. Findings The narrative encourages further attention to the key issues at the local level. This is underpinned by the need for planners to move beyond zoning and other restrictive mechanisms to more strategic approaches. All levels of government must recognise that regulatory planning on its own is insufficient. This leads to the need for champions to consider opportunities beyond the ordinary. Originality/value While this paper will add to a growing literature on coastal damage and action at the local level, its emphasis on the benefits and limitations of the changing statutory system will assist not only policy makers but professional officers at the local forefront.

scholarly journals Participatory Democracy in Theory and Practice: A Case Study of Local Government in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Ntsikelelo Breakfast ◽  
Itumeleng Mekoa ◽  
Nondumiso Maphazi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
The Political ◽  
Local Government Level ◽  
Political Spectrum ◽  
Scholarly Contribution ◽  
Government Level

The idea of democracy is a curious oneand puzzling. There is reason for this;everyone talks about democracy no matter whether their views are on the left, centreor right of the political spectrum. Various politicians, regimes, whether in Africa, Europe or America claim to be democratic;yet what each says and does is usuallydifferent. Democracy as a practice is supposed to bestow rules, laws and decisions that are justifiable on democraticgrounds. Democracy also has evolved through social struggles. This article examines the practice of democracy withinthe context of local government in South Africa, and is an attempt to explore the concept of democracy without escaping other historical aspects of the idea and practice. From a methodological standpoint, this article is based on a literature assessment. Lastly and most importantly, this paper has made a scholarly contribution to the scholarship of Political Science and Public Administration with regard to the nexus between democracy and public participation at local government level in South Africa.

scholarly journals Bottom-Up Initiatives Undertaken by Local Governments to Support Entrepreneurship

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6328
Author(s):  
Niki Derlukiewicz ◽  
Anna Mempel-Śnieżyk ◽  
Tomasz Pilewicz ◽  
Małgorzata Godlewska
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
Final Energy Consumption ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
The Relationship

The present paper deals with issues related to activities undertaken by local government. The article focuses on the identification and assessment of the significance of local government’s different bottom-up initiatives that support development of local entrepreneurship. The article also indirectly discusses the importance of activities referring to energy efficiency. Through the digitization process and by using digital tools, LGs realize projects, improve local actors’ awareness, and finally achieve new challenges such as a higher proportion of gross final energy consumption being from renewable sources. The aim of the paper is to present the relationship between the LGs’ entrepreneurial activities, which we call bottom-up initiatives, and the local entrepreneurship level, understood as the number of entrepreneurs active on the territory of a LG. This paper presents the results of research carried out on the bottom-up initiatives undertaken by Polish local governments to support entrepreneurship. The research was based on survey and statistical tools and stepwise regression analysis. In the paper, bottom-up initiatives undertaken by local governments (such as organizing events at the national or regional scale that enable networking among entrepreneurs or establishing departments for supporting local entrepreneurship that offer cooperation with local entrepreneurs) were found to influence the number of entrepreneurs active in local government territories. The paper concludes that local governments and their bottom-up activities are an important factor influencing local entrepreneurship development. The presented research results have implications for policy makers and may be useful for local governments in Poland and in other countries in the context of supporting entrepreneurship by undertaking bottom-up initiatives at the local level.

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