88 SOCIAL SCIENTIST that visualised in the planning process, thus giving rise to additional strains manifesting themselves inter alia in the form of an increase in the capital-output ratio (a symptom of the so-called 'inefficiency'). It is in contexts such as these that the pressure for reintroducing the 'discipline of the market' through a 'liberalisation* of the economy gathers strength. While the social support for a planned regime disappears through the spread of cynicism and alienation among the working masses, even outside of the international lending agencies and their local supporters, the idea begins to spread that there exists no alternative to the 'discipline of the market', especially the 'world market'. As a matter of fact however, subjecting the economy to the so-called 'discipline of the world market' amounts, as we have seen, to jumping out of the frying pan straight into the fire. The case for planning remains as strong as ever, but it is a case simultaneously for enlisting t^e support of the working masses for a planned transformation, for institutionalising arrangements whereby they can intervene Successfully to prevent the framework of planning from being utilised for the satisfaction of privative acquisitiveness by elements of the bureaucracy and the bourgeoisie. A democratic society is of course essential for this. In addition, the direct involvement of the working people in the decision making process, including through appropriate decentralisation of planning, is essential. For a South Africa emerging into democracy and majority rule, it is as important to resist pressures for instituting a 'liberal economy' vulnerable to the caprices of international financiers, as it is to avoid re-enacting the scenario of bureaucratic, dirigiste planning that is used increasingly over time for private enrichment through the instrumentality of the State, and soon discredits itself. But the very strength of the democratic movement here which makes the case for planning strong, also provides the possibility of a powerful check upon its degeneration.