A Comparative Analysis of Local Governance between South Africa and China

Abstract

In April 2014 South Africa will be celebrating 20 years of democracy, which requires introspection on its state of local governance. China is used as a comparative case study because its economic growth has been strongly linked to  local governance strategies. The article makes use of three variables to determine strategies that can drive local  economic growth through global processes. The areas examined are local government reform and decentralisation processes, the fiscal control systems in the local governance process in both countries, and globalisation and local  governance. This comparative analysis highlights both the deficiencies and the strengths that South Africa should  consider implementing at it its local governance level. The article also highlights that performance-driven theories  and practice are essential tools for developmental states in facilitating policy intervention and implementation.