The Southern African post‐colonial state

Southern African post‐colonial states are notable for their relative administrative capacity in contrast with states in other parts of Africa. Settler colonialism, industrialisation, capitalist agriculture, warfare and, in certain cases, centralised and extensive pre‐colonial polities, help to explain the degree of modern state effectiveness in this region. Southern African states generally exist in more diversified economies than governments in other parts of Africa and the proportional significance of their public sectors within the modern economy tends to be smaller. This helps to encourage the existence of fairly lively associational life, another important factor in promoting efficient administration. This article examines the performance of anglophone Southern African states with respect to their institutional autonomy, degree of social penetration, moral legitimacy and bureaucratic rationality. The recent democratisation of the region has generated new challenges for Southern African states and may have reduced their social autonomy.