Governing street trading in post-apartheid Cape Town

This article titled Governing street trading in post-apartheid Cape Town: neo-colonial or neo-liberal order? delves into the temporalities of public action in Cape Town, using the governance of street trading since the early twentieth century as an illustrative example. The primary argument centres on the contemporary interpretation of street trading governance as a byproduct of a neo-liberal regime that perpetuates the colonial order. Employing Foucault's genealogical method and his conceptualisation of neo-liberalism as a governance rationality, the analysis reveals that, although the control instruments (such as permit restrictions, spatial zoning, and trader identification) may endure, their political connotations have transformed over time. This transformation indicates a shift from coercion and repression to a neo-liberal approach to governmentality. Empirical evidence is used to demonstrate how neo-liberalisation operates by altering the very rationale behind these control instruments. The conclusion underscores the significance of applying Foucault's definition of neo-liberalisation and methodology for constructing a theory of neo-liberal change in post-colonial contexts.

Abstract based directly on source.