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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
Time: 12:07 am
Time: 12:07 am
Results for informal economy
5 results foundAuthor: Sayigh, Yezid Title: Dilemmas of Reform: Policing in Arab Transitions Summary: Struggles over the security sector have been central to the politics of every Arab state that has undergone transition in the wake of armed conflict or political upheaval since the early 1990s. And wherever pre-transition elite coalitions have been neither forged anew nor replaced, security sectors no longer clearly serve a dominant political, social, and economic order. In these contexts, generic Western models of security sector reform cannot adequately resolve the dilemmas revealed by Arab states in transition and can do no more than alter these sectors superficially. Systemic change is needed, but the political and institutional brittleness of Arab states in transition presents a significant obstacle. Dilemmas of Policing in Arab States in Transition - Constitutional frameworks in these states are degraded and politics are polarized, which prevents the effective governance of security sectors. -State capacity is in decline, undermining the ability of policing to help uphold the social order and moral economy. - These governments' renewed emphasis on counterterrorism has intensified long-standing patterns of violent behavior and impunity in the security sector, reinforcing the sector's resistance to reform while prompting the public to acquiesce to the restoration of authoritarian practices. - Declining state resources, increasingly informal economies, and deepening illegality have raised the costs of reforming and professionalizing security sectors. These trends have also incentivized security sectors' implication in corruption and collusion with criminal networks and armed actors, stiffening the sectors' resistance to reform. - Growing numbers of citizens have turned to alternative forms of community policing and mechanisms based on customary law, but these systems are eroding, often giving way to hybrid, militia-based structures. Challenging Future - Security sector reform cannot take place unless political elites and leading institutional actors see a shared interest in it. In the absence of this, security sectors have fractured along sectarian, ethnic, and partisan lines, or have asserted their complete autonomy in pursuit of their own agendas. - Generic transparency rules and oversight frameworks recommended in conventional reform approaches cannot tackle corruption or illegal economic activity in the security sector. Arab states in transition are especially unwilling to undertake necessary but risky reforms or to impose accountability. - The rehabilitation and reform of security sectors requires a nonpartisan approach and depends on reaching a reasonable consensus on the components of the social order and the principles of an acceptable moral economy. Without this, the technical assistance and training routinely offered in conventional reform programs will be of little value. Details: Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Beirut, Lebanon: Carnegie Middle East Center, 2016. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 17, 2017 at: http://carnegieendowment.org/files/CEIP_CMEC61_Sayigh_Final.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Asia URL: http://carnegieendowment.org/files/CEIP_CMEC61_Sayigh_Final.pdf Shelf Number: 145050 Keywords: Informal EconomyLaw EnforcementPolice ReformPolicingSecurity ForcesTerrorism |
Author: Foster, John Robert Wilfred Title: Development a Relevant Business Model for the South African Informal Car Guarding Sector Summary: Car guarding, a uniquely South African activity, has become a common form of informal employment. The perception of many is that car guarding is a last resort of financial survival and pursued by those entrapped in a life of drug/alcohol addiction or poor life choices. This study had five objectives: firstly to determine if car guarding and the income made solely from tips is an economically viable mean of survival; secondly to determine the socio-cultural challenges (such as the perception towards car guards) and the physical challenges (such as weather conditions faced) while performing their duties; thirdly to discover general and specific skills car guards possess, either from past employment, or obtained while car guarding; fourthly to reveal the factors which influenced individuals to become car guards; and lastly to better evaluate the current car guarding business models, in order to provide suggestions to improve these. An exploratory research design with convenience sampling of 30 car guards at six different public domains was used. The study was limited to Durban because a degree of rapport had been built through previous informal discussions with car guards. Data was collected from car guards by means of one on one detailed open-ended qualitative questioning in order to ascertain reasons and opinions. Quantitative aspects were not explored. The data obtained was recorded and analyzed by thematic analysis. The study revealed the dismal situation of car guards. For example, at most venues they are charged a "bay fee" to guard a designated area, and have no choice but to survive on the limited amount of donations they are able to obtain, after paying the fee. Besides being harassed and often intimidated by both motorists; security officers and the management of parking premises, they have to brave the elements and work long hours with no physical protection and hardly any employer-support. Recommendations include implementation of a more effective business model to allow for formalization of car guard employment and at the very least good work standards, training and skill development. Organizations need to rise to the challenge to support car guards and local Community Policing Forums (CPF) need to be more involved in assisting car guards. Details: University of Kwazulu-Natal, College of Law and Management Studies, 2015. 152p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 12, 2018 at: http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10413/14748/Foster_John_Robert_Wilfred_2015.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Year: 2015 Country: South Africa URL: http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10413/14748/Foster_John_Robert_Wilfred_2015.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Shelf Number: 153390 Keywords: Automobile TheftCar GuardsCar TheftCrime PreventionInformal EconomySecurity Officers |
Author: Mthombeni, Paseka Title: Evaluation of the City Of Johannesburg's Proposed Second Economy Policy's Results in the Green Economy and Informal Security Sectors Summary: The Department of Economic Development (DED) within the City of Johannesburg (C0J) implemented two policy projects linked, to its proposed second economy policy. This study evaluated whether in its attempt to formalise the second economy the CoJ second economy policy empowered or further disempowered the participants of the security and green economy sectors of the second/informal economy. Empowerment in the context of this dissertation was based on the Alsop, Bertelsen and Holland's (2006:15) methodology which states that tracking the differences in capabilities that disallow individuals or groups the ability to make transforming choices enables social research to measure how the environment (policy measures, by—laws etc.) can either empower or disempower the actors. A literature review of the second economy provided background both in South Africa and the rest of the world. The review also addressed how the definition of the second economy varies as policy makers often define it according to the state of the informal economy in their policy landscape. The debate regarding the use of the word "second" as opposed to "informal" was relooked, it was concluded that the terms could be used interchangeably as they were both based on the "dualistic" approach that is prevalent in all economies. Chapter two also highlighted the advantages of the second economy regards to job creation and, economic growth. The results from the green economy waste pickers and car guard security questionnaires were used to measure whether the policy interventions that were developed by the CoJ for each sector empowered or disempowered the participants of the sector. In total; 10 waste pickers were interviewed, including 5 from the Johannesburg CBD (Carr Street) and 5 from the Waterval district which is where the separation at source programme was piloted. In the car guarding sector 5 respondents were interviewed before and after the implementation of the ACE parking system pilot in Braamfontein.... Details: Johannesburg: University of Johannesburg, 2015. 121p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed November 12, 2018 at: https://ujcontent.uj.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/uj:19173 Year: 2014 Country: South Africa URL: https://ujcontent.uj.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/uj:19173 Shelf Number: 153391 Keywords: Automobile Theft Car Guards Car Theft Crime Prevention Informal EconomyInformal Security |
Author: Nkhatau, Nthabisend Eunice Title: Car guarding as a survival and livelihood strategy: a comparative study of the negotiation of working space in Hillcrest and Hatfield Summary: Car guarding has emerged as one of the informal economic activities that form an integral part of the South African urban landscape. This activity serves as a source of livelihood for many individuals who face limited job opportunities and numerous barriers to entry into the formal economy. Drawing on conceptualisations of space, flexible accumulation and sustainable livelihoods, this research explored the work-life experiences and challenges that Pretoria car guards face in negotiating their working spaces. The generation of livelihoods in relation to the utilisation of public space by car guards was explored. The study outlines the significance of access to public space in the generation of livelihoods for car guards as well as their reasons for doing this type of work. Findings indicate that the primary reason for engaging in car guarding is to earn an income and survive in the midst of unemployment, limited job opportunities and poverty, given the low level of education and skills participants have. The study further revealed that urban public space is a pivotal physical asset through which car guards secure their livelihoods. Nonetheless, the utilisation of urban public space is highly contested and negotiated with an array of different actors such as: those in positions of authority1, the general public and fellow car guards. In negotiating their working spaces, car guards face competition and conflict as major challenges. Social skills and interpersonal relations play a pivotal role when it comes to accessing and entering car guarding. In their work they face an array of challenges ranging from exposure to fluctuating weather conditions, lack of a secure environment to harassment by those in positions of authority. Given their income insecurity, car guards are forced to work long hours and they employ different strategies to negotiate their working space in urban public places. These include aggressively defending their turf against other fellow car guards as well as paying certain amounts through both informal and formal arrangements to those in positions of authority to secure their working space. This as a result renders the urban public space as a commodity with territorial meanings and ownership attached to it. Details: Pretoria: University of Pretoria, 2017. 139p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed November 12, 2018 at: https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/65594/Nkhatau_Car_2018.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Year: 2017 Country: South Africa URL: https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/65594/Nkhatau_Car_2018.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Shelf Number: 153392 Keywords: Automobile Theft Car Guards Car Theft Crime Prevention Informal EconomySecurity Officers |
Author: McEwen, Hayley Title: The Car Guards of Cape Town: A Public Good Analysis Summary: Car guards have become a part of everyday life for drivers in Cape Town and other metropolitan centres around South Africa. This paper analyses the development and economic functioning of the industry with the understanding that the market exhibits quasi-public good characteristics. Some unusual phenomena are explored. Firstly free riding does not lead to under-provision in the market due to the survivalist nature of the supply, the non-contractual nature of the demand and varied public perceptions. Secondly private firms enter the market as a signalling device for the heterogeneous quality of car guards. Lastly drivers continue to pay car guards in the face of free riding due to varied preference curves and a degree of altruism in rational agents. Twenty detailed case studies are undertaken and the results presented and used to inform the theoretical conclusions made throughout the paper. Details: Rondebosch: School of Economic Building, Middle Campus, University of Cape Town, 2008. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper Series, No. 25: Accessed November 12, 2018 at: http://opensaldru.uct.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11090/30/2008_25.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2008 Country: South Africa URL: http://opensaldru.uct.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11090/30/2008_25.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 153393 Keywords: Automobile Theft Car Guards Car Theft Crime Prevention Informal EconomySecurity Officers |