Testing an alternative measure of progress : the case of the Bakgatla-ba- Kgafela Nation

["Kgatla (African people) -- Social life and customs", "Kgatla (African people) -- Economic conditions", "Community development -- South Africa -- Pilanesberg", "Economic indicators -- South Africa -- Pilanesberg", "Well-being -- South Africa -- Pilanesberg", "Dissertations -- Public management and planning", "Theses -- Public management and planning", "School of Public Leadership"]

Hamilton, Gillian Kay ; Human, P.

Stellenbosch University

Others  :  https://scholar.sun.ac.za:443/bitstream/10019.1/20154/1/hamilton_testing_2012.pdf

瑞士|英语

来源: Stellenbosch University

【 摘 要 】

ENGLISH ABSTRACT:An alternative measure of progress to GDP was evaluated in the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela tribe(in total N = 119) using subjective wellbeing or happiness. The major dimensions ofhappiness were assumed to be physical, mental, social, spiritual, educational,environmental, occupational, and financial wellbeing or income and governance. Amongstthe Bakgatla, correlation testing identified two clusters or core sub-sets of relationships,based on the strength of relationships, which appear to work in parallel to one another, withdivergent outcomes of either increased happiness or income. The first cluster is related totraditional economic rationality and consists of Education Level, Income and EmploymentSecurity. The second cluster, more closely related to principles of sustainable development,consists of Social Wellbeing, Environmental Wellbeing and Happiness. An insignificantcorrelation between Income and Happiness exists.A multiple regression analysis was conducted with Happiness as the dependent variable andthe major wellbeing dimensions as the independent variables (R² = .286). Statisticallysignificant Standardized Beta's calculated in the regression analysis are Social wellbeing(0.464), Educational level (-0.226), Governance (0.205) and Physical wellbeing (0.194).Although a cause-and-effect relationship can't be assumed, the supposition is that ceterisparibus:• Happy people tend to have higher levels of social wellbeing or social capital;• The more educated people are, the less happy they are;• The more trust people have in public institutions and the state, the happier they are;and• Happy people tend to be healthier.Therefore, holding all other explanatory variables constant, it can be assumed that incomehas no bearing on subjective wellbeing. Therefore we reject the Null Hypothesis that theBakgatla's progress is purely determined by their annual per capita income.The relationship between income and subjective wellbeing for the Bakgatla follows globalpatterns - an initial increase in happiness as income increases is pronounced but 'flattens'somewhat as a higher level of income is reached and diminishes as very high levels ofincome are achieved. The critical turning point where income has a diminishing rate of returnon satisfaction is around R20 000 per annum per person. This corroborates the humanneeds theories which proposes that a hierarchy of needs for human beings exist and untilthe basic needs are met, higher needs cannot be met.The present findings have implications for the Bakgatla: in order to increase happiness andpromote development, the Bakgatla should focus on four key aspects: meeting basic needs;increasing social capital; increasing trust in the Tribal Authorities; and improving physicalhealth. In addition, education and environmental wellbeing should also be focal points butchanges need to be made to the education curriculum so that there is a strong focus onsustainable development. An important policy implication that the Bakgatla need to consider,is balancing the needs of the current generation with the needs of future generations.Economic growth or income may bring a certain amount of happiness; environmentaldestruction, crime and human health implications may outweigh these benefits andhappiness in both the current and future generations.