[DEBATE] : Re: Recalculating happiness in the Zuma cabinet

[Dominic Tweedie]

It is quite easy to see Ebrahim Patel's approach in the "Framework"
document that I have just re-posted to this forum, in the negotiation
of which he was very closely associated, and which was published in
hard copy by his union (a COSATU affiliate), SACTWU, with a notable
sense of personal and collective urgency, fully supported by COSATU,
which distributed the booklets to affiliates in hard copy and
electronically, in January.

This is part of the background by which EP is now made a special
appointment to the cabinet.

The idea of planning is one that has been struggled for. The criticism
of any plan is another matter. By beginning to cast general doubt on
planning as such, if that is your intention, Russell, you are not yet
assisting us.

A rigourous problematisation of the "Framework" document would assist
far more. With this document in front of you, you cannot say that you
have nothing to work on, or that you have a reason to issue
generalised and hypothetical appeals for vigilance.

With the acceptance of planning, we have a ground upon which to debate
its specifics and its overall nature. You would be doing a good
service if you were to apply your mind, comrade, become siezed of this
"Framework" document, and deliver!


Domza "5-Year Plan" VC


2009/5/10  <grinker at mweb.co.za>:
> The biggest danger at this point could be an over-reliance on a technocratic, bean-counting approach to government based on a false notion of what 'planning' is about. It's not easy to see who might have any big ideas for what to do about an economy in profound crisis, an unpromising international context and raging unemployment growth. A real sense of urgency needs to be cultivated - political elites too easily take refuge in the seeming comfort of old bureaucratic culture. If we're not vigilant, this tendency could be reinforced rather than broken by the proposed institutional changes such as the planning and M&Estructures in the Presidency.
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> From: dominic.tweedie at gmail.com
> Sent:2009-05-10 17:06:15
> To: pbond at mail.ngo.za;debate at debate.kabissa.org
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [DEBATE] : Re: Recalculating happiness in the Zuma cabinet
> Flattered to get a mention on such a day, Patrick. Let me return the
> compliment.