In the late 1980s and early 1990s, trade unionists brought to everyone's attention the negative impacts of unbridled ideologically driven privatisation. The campaign highlighted the definition and scope of privatisation to the point where policy makers no longer wanted to use the word.
So, in true fashion, they started using words and terms like Private-public partnerships, 3Ps, PPPs, rationalisation. At thge end of the day, one has to look very carefully at the structure, scope and reasoning behind the proposed action.
A narrow definition of privatisation
– A transfer of ownership from the state to private companies or individuals
A broad definition
– Transfer of state or public sector functions and responsibilities.
And an even broader definition
– It includes a range of measures otherwise termed commercialisation aimed at introducing more market-like methods, structures and cultures into public activities
