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Public Sector Reform and the Introduction of Neoliberal Capitalism in African Socialist States: The Case of Zambia

Author

Listed:
  • Clever Madimutsa
  • Royd Malisase
  • Evans Daka
  • Moses Chewe

Abstract

Public sector reform (PSR) is believed to improve the performance of the public sector in particular and the economy in general by introducing market competition in service delivery. However, this paper shows that PSR uses a three-stage process to introduce neoliberal capitalism in African socialist states. The first stage dismantles the socialist state through strategies such as downsizing, decentralization, and privatization. The second stage introduces neoliberal capitalism in the former socialist state by removing government controls and allowing private sector actors to participate in economic activities. The third stage reconfigures the former socialist state into an agent of neoliberal capitalism. Ultimately, ordinary citizens are exploited and impoverished while private investors accumulate capital. JEL Classification: D73, P16, P33

Suggested Citation

  • Clever Madimutsa & Royd Malisase & Evans Daka & Moses Chewe, 2021. "Public Sector Reform and the Introduction of Neoliberal Capitalism in African Socialist States: The Case of Zambia," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 53(3), pages 462-477, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:reorpe:v:53:y:2021:i:3:p:462-477
    DOI: 10.1177/04866134211008188
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    7. AfDB AfDB, 1997. "Working Paper 35 - Privatization of Public Enterprises in Zambia: An Evaluation of the Policies, Procedures and Experiences," Working Paper Series 2253, African Development Bank.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    public sector reform; African socialist state; neoliberal capitalism; exploitation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • P33 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - International Trade, Finance, Investment, Relations, and Aid

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