In this paper the authors undertake a deductive process in which the core of the two concepts (the ‘‘democratic developmental state’’ and Batho Pele) are interpreted and contrasted. The authors highlight some of the critical perspectives on the politics of service delivery; offer practical cases derived from empirical research in which they have been recently involved; and then begin analysing and theorizing based on these. Our argument is that the democratic developmental state has a worm within its rose.