Publication

IDS Bulletin Vol. 18 Nos. 4

Alternatives in the Restructuring of State?Society Relations: Research Issues for Tropical Africa

Published on 1 October 1987

Summary Summary This article considers the possible long?run implications of the liberalisation programme currently under way throughout Tropical Africa. A strengthening of private?sector institutions and a corresponding shift in the relationship between the state and civil society is clearly on the agenda, but — the paper argues — it would not be fruitful for research to remain focused on the public?private or state?society balances as such. The more challenging and important questions have to do with (i) the substantially different kinds of private?sector and civil society development which might result from the current policies, and (ii) the implications of any strengthening of civil societies for the emergence of more autonomous and effective states . Resumen Resumen Este artículo considera las posibles implicaciones de largo plazo de los programas de estabilizacón, en boga en la región tropical de Africa. El fortalecimiento de las instituciones del sector privado y los consiguientes cambios en las relaciones entre el estado y la sociedad civil están claramente en la tabla de discusión. No obstante, el artículo sostiene que para la investigación no es fructífero mantener el enfoque en los balances público?privado o estado?sociedad como tales. Los temas más desafiantes e importantes se refieren a i) los desarrollos del sector privado y de la sociedad civil, substancialmente diferentes, que pueden resultar de las actuales políticas y, ii) las implicaciones de cualquier fortalecimiento de las sociedades civiles para la emergencia de estados más autónomos y eficientes.

Cite this publication

Booth, D. (1987) Alternatives in the Restructuring of State?Society Relations: Research Issues for Tropical Africa. IDS Bulletin 18(4): 23-30

Publication details

published by
Institute of Development Studies
authors
Booth, David

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