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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Transmission Belt for Transnational Capital or Facilitator for Development? Problematising the Role of the State in the Maputo Development Corridor
Authors:Söderbaum, FredrikISNI
Taylor, IanISNI
Year:2001
Periodical:Journal of Modern African Studies
Volume:39
Issue:4
Period:December
Pages:675-695
Language:English
Geographic terms:Mozambique
South Africa
Subjects:development
regional economic relations
transport
physical planning
Politics and Government
Development and Technology
Economics and Trade
Urbanization and Migration
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/3557345
Abstract:This article problematizes the role of the State in what is claimed to be the 'flagship' of South Africa's Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) programme, the Maputo Development Corridor (MDC). The MDC was launched in 1996 by the Presidents of Mozambique and South Africa in an attempt to reconstruct a cross-border relationship and microregion that had effectively existed since the late 19th century. The MDC paradigm is predicated on a 'big bang' approach built around short-term, capital-intensive and large-scale investment, with a minimal degree of State involvement. The approach is built on the key goal to 'crowd-in' private investments. The article assesses to what extent the State is best understood as a 'transmission belt' for transnational capital or as a 'facilitator' for development. It reveals several flaws in the MDC which reinforce the role of the State as a transmission belt for transnational capital, for instance, the neoliberal market fundamentalism and big-bang approach inherent in the MDC spell 'jobless growth'. However, the MDC does contain several novel and positive features, and its problematic aspects can be overcome through some strategic changes in the MDC approach: a heavier focus on 'development', a more pro-active State, and more comprehensive and inclusive governance structures. Bibliogr., notes, sum.
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