Globalization and Social Policy in Africa

THE PAPER DRAWS together thinking on the two themes of globalization and social policy. Globalization is linked by the author to the process of economic transformation, a process which, along with other problems, has been associated with the continuing economic decline in Africa. The process of globalization is linked to economic problems which have resulted in structural adjustment programmes which, in turn, have reduced the capacity of the state to address the new social problems which arise from globalization. Whilst globalization both increases the extent and changes the nature of social problems, the ideological processes associated with it are transforming both the content and the boundaries of social policy as it had been known. This is the broad context within which the author situates the discussion.

The first part of the working paper clarifies the two main themes, comparing and exploring multiple definitions of globalization and social policy. The second part looks at some major trends in their analysis and study, and the author starts by addressing what he considers to be the relative neglect and inadequate representation of non-Eurocentric perspectives within discussions of both globalization and social policy. The third part looks as some significant issues which confront an understanding of the two themes. The discussion focuses in particular on relationships between state and society, and between the concept of poverty and what is required by those seeking to address aspects of poverty, and globalization and the changing conceptualization of poverty. The final part clarifies some research directions and themes, including the extent to which, and the ways in which, international development assistance agencies are both influencing the ideology and the practice of social policy; the historical development of social policy making within Africa, and the ways in which differing perspectives and interests have been reconciled; and the ways in which citizens and communities in Africa have been affected by, and have responded to, both globalization and state policies.