THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN POSTCOLONIAL STATE

Southern African post-colonial states are notable for their relative a dministrative capacity in contrast with states in other parts of Afric a. Settler colonialism, industrialisation, capitalist agriculture, war fare and, in certain cases, centralised and extensive pre-colonial pol ities, help to explain the degree of modern state effectiveness in thi s region. Southern African states generally exist in more diversified economies than governments in other parts of Africa and the proportion al significance of their public sectors within the modern economy tend s to be smaller. This helps to encourage the existence of fairly livel y associational life, another important factor in promoting efficient administration. This article examines the performance of anglophone So uthern African states with respect to their institutional autonomy, de gree of social penetration, moral legitimacy and bureaucratic rational ity. The recent democratisation of the region has generated new challe nges for Southern African states and may have reduced their social aut onomy.