PLC3703
May June Portfolio Exam 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 29 May 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS (ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED)
QUESTION 1: Critically discuss Francis Fukuyama’s (2014) claim that political development
is obtained when all three sets of political institutions, namely, a competent state, strong rule
of law and democratic accountability are in equilibrium. ............................................ 3
QUESTION 2: Evaluate whether post-apartheid South Africa is a procedural or a substantive
democracy. .............................................................................................................. 10
QUESTION 3: Is development a paradigm or a process? Explain .......................... 15
QUESTION 4: Critically discuss whether modernisation theory provided a more viable
,TABLE OF CONTENTS (ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED)
QUESTION 1: Critically discuss Francis Fukuyama’s (2014) claim that political
development is obtained when all three sets of political institutions, namely, a
competent state, strong rule of law and democratic accountability are in equilibrium. 3
QUESTION 2: Evaluate whether post-apartheid South Africa is a procedural or a
substantive democracy............................................................................................. 10
QUESTION 3: Is development a paradigm or a process? Explain .......................... 15
QUESTION 4: Critically discuss whether modernisation theory provided a more
viable solution to the problem of ‘Third World’ underdevelopment compared to
dependency theory and growth with equity theory. .................................................. 22
QUESTION 5: Do you agree with Khabele Matlosa (2018) that a developmental
social democracy would be the most suitable form of democracy for a more people-
centered approach to development in Africa? Justify your response. ...................... 27
,QUESTION 1: Critically discuss Francis Fukuyama’s (2014) claim that political
development is obtained when all three sets of political institutions, namely, a
competent state, strong rule of law and democratic accountability are in
equilibrium.
1. Introduction
Francis Fukuyama’s claim that political development is reached when a competent
state, strong rule of law and democratic accountability exist in equilibrium is useful
because it treats development as more than elections or economic growth alone
(Fukuyama, 2014). Political development is not achieved when one institution
becomes strong while the others remain weak, because an efficient state without
accountability can become oppressive, while accountability without state capacity
can create promises that government cannot fulfil (Fukuyama, 2014). The attached
article supports this broad argument by linking democratic consolidation to strong
institutions, effective government performance, rule of law, accountability, political
participation and socio-economic improvement (Steyn Kotze, 2014).
The strength of Fukuyama’s claim is that it avoids a narrow understanding of
democracy as only free elections, because democratic development also needs a
state that can provide security, manage public resources and respond to citizens’
needs (Fukuyama, 2014). The claim is also useful for South Africa because the
article shows that South Africa created a constitutional democracy after 1994, but
still struggles with poverty, inequality, corruption, weak accountability and uneven
service delivery (Steyn Kotze, 2014).
2. Understanding Fukuyama’s three political institutions
2.1 Competent state
A competent state means a government structure that can make decisions,
implement policy, collect resources, provide services and maintain order without
being captured by private or party interests (Fukuyama, 2014). In the attached
article, state capacity is identified as one of the key elements of consolidated
democratic governance, because a democracy needs a functioning government
, structure that can manage public life and support economic development (Steyn
Kotze, 2014).
State competence is important because citizens judge democracy not only by rights
on paper, but also by whether government improves their daily lives through safety,
services, jobs and development (Burnell, Randall and Rakner, 2017). The attached
article makes this point by explaining that the functions of the state include
guaranteeing safety, creating conditions for economic growth and exercising power
effectively within the territory of the state (Steyn Kotze, 2014).
A weak state can damage democracy even where elections are regular, because
citizens may lose trust when government cannot deliver basic needs or control
corruption (Fukuyama, 2014). This problem is clear in the South African example
used in the article, where poor municipal performance, weak leadership and supply-
chain problems are linked to service delivery failures and declining public confidence
(Steyn Kotze, 2014).
2.2 Strong rule of law
Strong rule of law means that political power is limited by legal rules, public officials
are subject to the law, courts are independent and citizens are protected from
arbitrary state action (Fukuyama, 2014). The article places constitutionalism and rule
of law at the centre of procedural democracy, because a democratic state must be
governed by a constitution that limits power and separates the legislature, executive
and judiciary (Steyn Kotze, 2014).
Rule of law is necessary because state capacity without legal restraint can produce
abuse, repression and state domination over society (Huntington, 2006). The article
explains that constitutionalism prevents one sphere of government from
overpowering another, while the judiciary must interpret law and ensure that new
laws do not conflict with the constitution (Steyn Kotze, 2014).
The South African constitutional order reflects this rule of law ideal because political
authority is meant to be controlled by the Constitution, democratic rights and the
separation of powers (Steyn Kotze, 2014). This supports Fukuyama’s view because
May June Portfolio Exam 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 29 May 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS (ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED)
QUESTION 1: Critically discuss Francis Fukuyama’s (2014) claim that political development
is obtained when all three sets of political institutions, namely, a competent state, strong rule
of law and democratic accountability are in equilibrium. ............................................ 3
QUESTION 2: Evaluate whether post-apartheid South Africa is a procedural or a substantive
democracy. .............................................................................................................. 10
QUESTION 3: Is development a paradigm or a process? Explain .......................... 15
QUESTION 4: Critically discuss whether modernisation theory provided a more viable
,TABLE OF CONTENTS (ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED)
QUESTION 1: Critically discuss Francis Fukuyama’s (2014) claim that political
development is obtained when all three sets of political institutions, namely, a
competent state, strong rule of law and democratic accountability are in equilibrium. 3
QUESTION 2: Evaluate whether post-apartheid South Africa is a procedural or a
substantive democracy............................................................................................. 10
QUESTION 3: Is development a paradigm or a process? Explain .......................... 15
QUESTION 4: Critically discuss whether modernisation theory provided a more
viable solution to the problem of ‘Third World’ underdevelopment compared to
dependency theory and growth with equity theory. .................................................. 22
QUESTION 5: Do you agree with Khabele Matlosa (2018) that a developmental
social democracy would be the most suitable form of democracy for a more people-
centered approach to development in Africa? Justify your response. ...................... 27
,QUESTION 1: Critically discuss Francis Fukuyama’s (2014) claim that political
development is obtained when all three sets of political institutions, namely, a
competent state, strong rule of law and democratic accountability are in
equilibrium.
1. Introduction
Francis Fukuyama’s claim that political development is reached when a competent
state, strong rule of law and democratic accountability exist in equilibrium is useful
because it treats development as more than elections or economic growth alone
(Fukuyama, 2014). Political development is not achieved when one institution
becomes strong while the others remain weak, because an efficient state without
accountability can become oppressive, while accountability without state capacity
can create promises that government cannot fulfil (Fukuyama, 2014). The attached
article supports this broad argument by linking democratic consolidation to strong
institutions, effective government performance, rule of law, accountability, political
participation and socio-economic improvement (Steyn Kotze, 2014).
The strength of Fukuyama’s claim is that it avoids a narrow understanding of
democracy as only free elections, because democratic development also needs a
state that can provide security, manage public resources and respond to citizens’
needs (Fukuyama, 2014). The claim is also useful for South Africa because the
article shows that South Africa created a constitutional democracy after 1994, but
still struggles with poverty, inequality, corruption, weak accountability and uneven
service delivery (Steyn Kotze, 2014).
2. Understanding Fukuyama’s three political institutions
2.1 Competent state
A competent state means a government structure that can make decisions,
implement policy, collect resources, provide services and maintain order without
being captured by private or party interests (Fukuyama, 2014). In the attached
article, state capacity is identified as one of the key elements of consolidated
democratic governance, because a democracy needs a functioning government
, structure that can manage public life and support economic development (Steyn
Kotze, 2014).
State competence is important because citizens judge democracy not only by rights
on paper, but also by whether government improves their daily lives through safety,
services, jobs and development (Burnell, Randall and Rakner, 2017). The attached
article makes this point by explaining that the functions of the state include
guaranteeing safety, creating conditions for economic growth and exercising power
effectively within the territory of the state (Steyn Kotze, 2014).
A weak state can damage democracy even where elections are regular, because
citizens may lose trust when government cannot deliver basic needs or control
corruption (Fukuyama, 2014). This problem is clear in the South African example
used in the article, where poor municipal performance, weak leadership and supply-
chain problems are linked to service delivery failures and declining public confidence
(Steyn Kotze, 2014).
2.2 Strong rule of law
Strong rule of law means that political power is limited by legal rules, public officials
are subject to the law, courts are independent and citizens are protected from
arbitrary state action (Fukuyama, 2014). The article places constitutionalism and rule
of law at the centre of procedural democracy, because a democratic state must be
governed by a constitution that limits power and separates the legislature, executive
and judiciary (Steyn Kotze, 2014).
Rule of law is necessary because state capacity without legal restraint can produce
abuse, repression and state domination over society (Huntington, 2006). The article
explains that constitutionalism prevents one sphere of government from
overpowering another, while the judiciary must interpret law and ensure that new
laws do not conflict with the constitution (Steyn Kotze, 2014).
The South African constitutional order reflects this rule of law ideal because political
authority is meant to be controlled by the Constitution, democratic rights and the
separation of powers (Steyn Kotze, 2014). This supports Fukuyama’s view because
