83 results
Search Results
2. The Impact of Political Competition on Economic Growth: Evidence from Municipalities in South Africa.
- Author
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Obikili, Nonso
- Subjects
POLITICAL competition ,ECONOMIC development ,MUNICIPAL government ,POLITICAL opposition ,DEMOCRACY - Abstract
This paper examines the impact of political competition on economic growth. In this paper, I show that internal political dynamics, distinct from the type of political system, can having different effects on growth. Using results from the 1994 and 1999 elections in South Africa, I show that municipalities with higher levels of political competition have shown lower levels of economic growth. I use individual level surveys to show that this political competition is associated with political paralysis, dissatisfaction with the current democracy and government and lower optimism about the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. A Tale of Two Countries and Two Stages: South Africa, China and the Lewis Model.
- Author
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Knight, John
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development ,LABOR market ,COUNTRIES ,GROWTH rate ,UNEMPLOYMENT statistics ,ECONOMIC reform - Abstract
The paper compares the economic progress of two countries, South Africa and China, in relation to the Lewis model. These economies are chosen because they have interesting similarities and also interesting differences. At the start of economic reform in China and with the advent of democracy in South Africa, both countries had surplus labour: they were at the first, labour‐surplus, stage of the Lewis model. It is shown that, since then, South Africa has continued to experience surplus labour: the unemployment rate has risen. By contrast, China's labour market is shown to have tightened, and there is evidence that China has entered the second, labour‐scarce, stage of the Lewis model. The difference lies in their growth rates. There are sections explaining why the South African economy has grown slowly and why the Chinese economy has grown rapidly, in relation to the growth of their labour forces. The Lewis model provides an enlightening framework for explaining how widely the fruits of economic development can be shared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Linking Southern Africa to South Africa's exports: New opportunities for regional value chains.
- Author
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Banga, Karishma and Balchin, Neil
- Subjects
VALUE chains ,INTERNATIONAL economic integration ,ECONOMIC development ,INDUSTRIALIZATION ,INDUSTRIAL capacity ,COMPARATIVE advantage (International trade) ,INTERNATIONAL trade - Abstract
This study explores the potential for South Africa to become an engine for intra‐regional trade and industrial development in Southern Africa. It focuses on new backward linkages that can be created from South African exports of final products to producers of intermediate inputs in other Southern African countries. We do so by identifying South Africa's lead products, where it has formed its own GVCs, and, in turn, earmarking intermediate inputs used in the production of these lead products. Using Revealed Comparative Advantage and Unit Cost analysis, we identify Southern African countries that could supply the identified imported intermediate inputs more competitively than South Africa's existing partners and kickstart regional integration. We explore issues around the nature of linkages, supplier capabilities and industrial policies in the region, with special reference to the identified product value chains. Focusing on the agricultural sector—a key regional priority with immense potential for industrial growth and large‐scale employment—we also identify existing agricultural lead products in South Africa, and the 'new markets' to which South Africa can export. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Exports and economic growth: The case of South Africa.
- Author
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RANGASAMY, LOGAN
- Subjects
EXPORTS ,SOUTH African economy, 1991- ,ECONOMIC development ,INDUSTRIAL policy ,GROSS domestic product - Abstract
Economic policy has always accorded an important role to export production in the overall growth process in South Africa. Recent policy proposals once again reaffirm this commitment. This paper attempts to ascertain whether the emphasis on export production is justified. Using modern econometric techniques within a multivariate framework, the results show that there is uni-directional Granger-causality running from exports to economic growth in South Africa. In addition, the gross domestic product (GDP) accounting identity underestimates the contribution of exports to economic growth. Thus, deliberate policy measures that stimulate export production will greatly enhance the growth prospects for the South African economy. The results in this paper also indicate that more attention should be given to the promotion of non-primary exports. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION PARTNERSHIPS: DO THEY MATTER FOR INNOVATION OUTCOMES OF SOUTH AFRICAN FIRMS?
- Author
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Bakker, René M., Oerlemans, Leon A. A., and Pretorius, Tinus
- Subjects
INNOVATIONS in business ,TECHNOLOGICAL innovations ,BUSINESS networks ,KNOWLEDGE transfer ,ECONOMIC development ,BUSINESS enterprises ,REGRESSION analysis ,BUSINESS partnerships ,EMERGING markets ,INTERNATIONAL cooperation - Abstract
This paper studies the impact of the diversity of domestic and international innovation partnerships on the innovation outcomes of South African firms. A number of competing hypotheses are formulated and tested empirically using a sample of South African firms in manufacturing and services by applying Ordinary Least Squares regression analyses. Results show that having an innovation partnership, particularly an international partnership, is beneficial to innovation outcomes. However, it also emerges that too diverse a set of international partnerships is detrimental to innovation outcomes. The paper concludes with a discussion and a number of proposals for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Testing creative destruction in an opening economy Testing creative destruction in an opening economy : The case of the South African manufacturing industries.
- Author
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Aghion, Philippe, Fedderke, Johannes, Howitt, Peter, and Viegi, Nicola
- Subjects
CREATIVE destruction ,MANUFACTURING industries ,FINANCIAL liberalization ,ECONOMIC competition ,ECONOMIC development - Abstract
This paper analyses the relationship between trade liberalization and economic growth using a Schumpeterian framework of technological innovation and applies it to sector-level South African data. The framework examines direct and indirect effects of trade liberalization on productivity growth. Indirect impacts operate through a differential impact of trade liberalization on firms conditional on their distance from the international technological frontier. Results confirm positive direct impacts of trade liberalization. Results confirm also that the greatest positive impact of trade liberalization will be on sectors that are close to the international technological frontier and that experienced a low level of product market competition before liberalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
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8. REGIONAL INCOME EVOLUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA AFTER APARTHEID.
- Author
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Bosker, Maarten and Krugell, Waldo
- Subjects
INCOME inequality ,PER capita ,GROSS domestic product ,ECONOMIC development ,MARKOV processes ,APARTHEID ,SEGREGATION ,POOR people - Abstract
South Africa is one of the wealthiest countries on the African continent. The high national level (and growth) of GDP per capita, however, masks significant differences in economic performance across South Africa's regions. This paper uses (spatial) Markov chain techniques to describe the evolution of the entire cross-section regional income distribution in terms of its intra-distributional characteristics during the post-Apartheid period. The results indicate a heavily diverging regional income distribution. Relatively poor regions are likely to remain poor or become even poorer and the richest regions will maintain their lead in terms of income levels. Explicitly taking account of space furthermore shows that these high-income regions are acting as local growth poles, absorbing economic activity from their immediate surroundings. Location, trade, education, and the variable fortune of the gold mining industry seem to be important determinants of the observed evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Sub-national growth rate differentials in South Africa: an econometric analysis.
- Author
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Naudé, W. A. and Krugell, W. F.
- Subjects
ECONOMETRIC models ,ECONOMIC development ,ECONOMIC indicators ,AGGLOMERATION (Materials) - Abstract
This research note examines the determinants of economic growth at the sub-national level in South Africa, and investigates cross-regional medium term (1998–2002) growth rate differentials between 354 magisterial districts. A dynamic panel data regression model is used that includes measures of geography (distance and natural resources) as well as recent estimates of physical and human capital. We find that the significant determinants of local economic growth are distance from internal markets, human capital, export propensity, and the capital stock. Distance from international harbours, as a measure of transport costs, and urban agglomeration (or density) affects growth indirectly through its significant effect on the ability of a region to export. Overall, these results indicate that geography is important, independent of its effects on institutions, for economic growth. Bearing in mind a medium-term focus, no evidence of absolute convergence could be found over a five-year period, but the evidence tentatively suggests beta convergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. AN ANALYSIS OF INVENTORY INVESTMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA.
- Author
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Smith, H., Blignaut, J., and Van Heerden, J. H.
- Subjects
INVENTORIES ,SAVINGS ,ECONOMIC development ,BUSINESS cycles ,PRICE levels - Abstract
This paper describes the evolution of inventory investment in South Africa over the past two decades, and identifies the factors influencing inventory investment over this period. An econometric model of inventory investment in South Africa, based on the production smoothing approach, is constructed. The results of the model indicate that actual sales, production, unfilled orders, price levels, interest rates and expected sales have an influence on the evolution of inventory investment. These variables are directly or indirectly influenced by macroeconomic policy decisions and through their influence on inventory investment they also influence changes in gross domestic product. Therefore, prior information on the factors that influence inventory investment contributes to explaining changes in gross domestic product and may help to prepare more accurate short-term forecasts of overall economic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. ECONOMIC GROWTH AND THE STRUCTURE OF TAXES IN SOUTH AFRICA: 1960–2002.
- Author
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Koch, Steven F., Schoeman, Niek J., and van Tonder, Jurie J.
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development ,TAXATION ,WEALTH tax ,BUSINESS cycles ,ECONOMICS - Abstract
One tenet of taxation is its distorting effect on economic behaviour. Despite the economic inefficiencies resulting from taxation, it is widely believed that taxes impact minimally on the economy's growth rate. Evidence in developing countries generally supports this view. In this paper, we present evidence that tax distortions in South Africa may be much more severe. Using tax and economic data from 1960 to 2002 and a two-stage modelling technique to control for unobservable business cycle variables, we examine the relationship between total taxation, the mix of taxation and economic growth. We find that decreased tax burdens are strongly associated with increased economic growth potential; in addition, contrary to most theoretical research, decreased indirect taxation relative to direct taxation is strongly correlated with increased economic growth potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. THE IMPLICATIONS OF SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THE REST OF AFRICA.
- Author
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Arora, Vivek and Vamvakidis, Athanasios
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development ,ECONOMIC indicators ,ECONOMIC policy ,ECONOMICS - Abstract
This paper measures the extent to which South African economic growth is an engine of growth in sub-Saharan Africa. Results based on panel data estimation for 47 African countries over four decades suggest that South African growth has a substantial positive impact on growth in the rest of Africa, even after controlling for other growth determinants. The estimates are robust to the effects of global and regional shocks, changes in model specification, and sample period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCTIVITY AND CAPITAL ACCUMULATION IN MANUFACTURING: AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS.
- Author
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Edwards, Lawrence and Golub, Stephen S.
- Subjects
INDUSTRIAL productivity ,SAVINGS ,ECONOMIC development ,COMPARATIVE studies ,WAGES - Abstract
Economic progress hinges on raising productivity—output per unit of input. Sustainable growth of living standards, employment, and exports all depend on growth of productivity. Per capita income, the single best measure of economic welfare, is clearly closely related to output per worker. Productivity growth also boosts employment to the extent that employers' demand for labour will rise if workers become more productive. Exports depend on international competitiveness, particularly unit labour costs relative to other countries. Relative unit labour costs, in turn, can be broken down into relative productivity and relative wages. This paper compares South African productivity in manufacturing to a large group of developed and developing countries.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Tourism as a local development strategy in South Africa.
- Author
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Binns, T. and Nel, E.
- Subjects
TOURISM ,ECONOMIC development - Abstract
The promotion of tourism has been identified as a key strategy that can lead to economic upliftment, community development and poverty relief in the developing world. In the last few years, tourism has also emerged as a significant development option in post–apartheid South Africa. In the context of some current debates on tourism in poor countries, the paper examines how economic, social and environmental resources are being utilized to promote tourism as a local economic development strategy in South Africa, and more specifically it focuses on current local government endeavours in this regard and two communities that have suffered the loss of their economic resource base. Tourism–based development initiatives, one in KwaZulu–Natal and one in the Western Cape, are evaluated in the context of generating economic growth, alleviating poverty and addressing the apartheid legacy of discrimination and inequality. The significance of the dynamics of development processes involved in these initiatives has much wider relevance for local economic development, both within South Africa and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2002
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. South African regional industrial policy: from border industries to spatial development initiatives.
- Author
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Hartzenberg, Trudi
- Subjects
INDUSTRIAL policy ,ECONOMIC policy ,INDUSTRIALIZATION ,ECONOMIC development - Abstract
Regional industrial development has been the focus of a number of very specific policy initiatives in South African since the 1960s. Until the end of the 1980s these initiatives were driven by political imperative: to develop the homeland areas and to stem migration to South Africa's cities. They failed on both counts. In the early 1990s, industrial policy was markedly less focused on location. However more recently the Spatial Development Initiatives (SDI) and Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) programmes have both involved the identification of industrial locations and used incentives to encourage firms to locate in these areas. The SDI programme has specifically taken South African regional industrial policy into the southern African region with its cross-border development corridors. The paper questions the underlying rationale for South Africa's regional industrial policy, and in particular the role of incentives in influencing firm-level decisions, including their location decisions. The tentative conclusion is that there is no reason to suppose that the South African government could or can do better than the market in directing firm-level location decisions, and that industrial policy incentives may be far less important to the firm than macroeconomic and market conditions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Spatial development initiatives in Southern Africa: The Maputo Development Corridor.
- Author
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Rogerson, Christian M.
- Subjects
CENTRAL economic planning ,SPATIAL ecology ,ECONOMIC development ,PLANNING - Abstract
Abstract Spatial development initiatives (SDIs) are becoming a critical feature in the planning for reconstruction in post-apartheid South (and Southern) Africa. The SDI programme marks a fundamental break with the trajectories and initiatives for economic and spatial planning of the apartheid past. The objective in this paper is to examine the record and developmental impact of SDI planning in South (ern) Africa through the lens of the most well-known SDI, the Maputo Development Corridor or Maputo SDI. The cross-border nature of the Maputo SDI makes it an important case study in terms of a recent shift in focus of the SDI programme towards a greater role for strengthening the regional Southern African economy. It is argued that the case of the Maputo SDI represents one illustration of the construction or configuring of a 'new regionalism' in Southern Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Local Economic Development in an Era of Globalisation: The Case of South African Cities.
- Author
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Rogerson, Christian M.
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development ,CENTRAL economic planning ,SOUTH African economy ,POVERTY - Abstract
Since 1994 South Africa's macroeconomic strategy has sought to accommodate the forces of globalisation and ensure the country's re-entry into the global economy after two decades (1970-90) of relative international economic isolation. One key component of restructuring for globalisation has been a shift in the burden of responsibility for economic development from national to local government level and of the promotion of local economic development (LED) planning across post-apartheid South Africa. This paper focuses on the issue of LED planning in South Africa as a case study in the local consequences and reactions to globalisation of city regions in the global periphery. The planning of LED in South Africa incorporates international trends towards local promotion of economic growth but also includes a distinct and strong focus on poverty alleviation to deal with the apartheid legacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2000
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Inflation in South Africa: An Assessment of Alternative Inflation Models.
- Author
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Fedderke, Johannes and Liu, Yang
- Subjects
PRICE inflation ,KEYNESIAN economics ,GROSS domestic product ,ECONOMIC development ,PHILLIPS curve - Abstract
Abstract: We consider the relative empirical performance of a range of inflation models for South Africa. Model coverage is of Phillips curve, New Keynesian Phillips curve, monetarist and structural models of inflation. Our core findings are that the single most robust covariate of inflation is unit labour cost. We further decompose unit labour cost into changes in the nominal wage and real labour productivity. The principal association is a strong positive relationship between inflation and nominal wages, while improvements in real labour productivity report only a relatively weak negative association with inflation. Supply‐side shocks also consistently report an association with inflation. As to demand‐side shocks, the output gap does not return a robust statistical association with inflation. Instead, it is growth in the money supply and government expenditure which return robust and theoretically consistent associations with inflationary pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. LONG MEMORY IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN STOCK MARKETS.
- Author
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Jefferis, Keith and Thupayagale, Pako
- Subjects
STOCK exchanges ,BOX-Jenkins forecasting ,ECONOMIC forecasting ,STOCKS (Finance) ,PORTFOLIO management (Investments) ,ECONOMIC development ,INVESTMENTS - Abstract
The paper examines long memory in equity returns and volatility for stock markets in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe using the ARFIMA-FIGARCH model in order to assess the efficiency of these markets in processing information. The findings are diverse. Significant long memory is demonstrated in the equity returns of Botswana; while, in South Africa this result is not statistically different from zero. For Zimbabwe returns are characterised by an anti-persistent process. Furthermore, all the markets investigated provide evidence of long memory in volatility with the exception of Botswana where there is no evidence of volatility persistence and hence the return from taking risk in this market cannot be predicted on the basis of previous values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA'S WEST COAST:‘DIVIDENDS ON THE PROCESS SIDE’?
- Author
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Bek, David, Binns, Tony, and Nel, Etienne
- Subjects
- *
COMMUNITY development , *ECONOMIC development , *ECONOMICS , *REGIONALISM - Abstract
Academics, policy-makers and consultants have been increasingly focusing upon the‘region’ as the crucible of economic development. This regionalist approach places institutions at the centre of the process of stimulating growth. Much debate has been ongoing in academic circles, particularly those inhabited by economic geographers, about the veracity of the regionalist approach and the explanatory power of the terminology associated with it. This paper analyses explicit efforts to engender regional economic development in the West Coast of South Africa. Our empirical evaluation indicates that policy actors have sought to upgrade the institutional infrastructure of the region and that some significant achievements are evident within this realm. However, these achievements are yet to be associated with sustained regional economic takeoff. The paper concludes by asking searching questions about the ability of the regionalist approach to deliver meaningful socio-economic transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Corporate Governance in South Africa: a bellwether for the continent?
- Author
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Vaughn, Melinda and Ryan, Lori Verstegen
- Subjects
CORPORATE governance ,CIPHERS ,CHANGE ,DEVELOPING countries ,FOREIGN investments ,ECONOMIC development - Abstract
The recent onslaught of corporate scandals has compelled the world to acknowledge the profound impact of corporate governance practices on the global economy. Corporate governance is of particular concern in developing economies, where the infusion of international investor capital and foreign aid is essential to economic stability and growth. This paper focuses attention on corporate governance initiatives in South Africa, given its significance as an emerging market, its potential leadership role on the African continent and the country’s notable corporate governance reform since the collapse of apartheid in 1994. The evolution of the country’s corporate structure and the forces driving corporate governance reform over the past decade will be examined, followed by a review of the most notable reform initiatives in place today. Finally, an assessment of those initiatives will be presented, along with recommendations concerning how South Africa’s initiatives can serve as models of enhanced corporate governance standards for the African continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. INTERNATIONAL LESSONS FOR THE PROPERTY PRICE BOOM IN SOUTH AFRICA.
- Author
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Funke, Norbert, Kißmer, Friedrich, and Wagner, Helmut
- Subjects
MONEY market ,INTEREST rates ,PRICE level changes ,MONEY supply ,MORTGAGES - Abstract
South Africa appears to share some of the characteristics (property price boom, easing of monetary policy, strong domestic demand growth) of asset price booms in industrial countries that were followed by a period of weak growth. The international experience suggests that a number of practical obstacles need to be overcome before a more proactive role for monetary policy is warranted. However, a larger variety of available mortgage contracts, including longer-term fixed-rate contracts, should allow for a more efficient allocation of interest rate risks. Also, a more systematic nationwide collection of property price data, including data on commercial property price developments, would provide a more representative basis for analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. AN ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA.
- Author
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Perkins, Peter, Fedderke, Johann, and Luiz, John
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development ,INFRASTRUCTURE (Economics) ,GROSS domestic product ,AIR travel ,ECONOMIC indicators - Abstract
This paper analyses long-term trends in the development of South Africa's economic infrastructure and discusses their relationship with the country's long-term economic growth. A database covering national accounts data, railways, roads, ports, air travel, phone lines and electricity was established for this purpose, and may facilitate further quantitative research. PSS (Pesaran, Shin and Smith, 1996, 2001) F-tests are used to identify directions of association between economic infrastructure and economic growth. These indicate long-run forcing relationships from public-sector economic infrastructure investment and fixed capital stock to gross domestic product (GDP), from roads to GDP, and from GDP to a range of other types of infrastructure. There is also evidence of potential simultaneity between specific types of infrastructure and GDP. The evidence suggests three main findings. Firstly, the relationship between economic infrastructure and economic growth appears to run in both directions. Inadequate investment in infrastructure could create bottlenecks, and opportunities for promoting economic growth could be missed. Secondly, South Africa's stock of economic infrastructure has developed in phases. Policymakers should focus on choosing or encouraging the right type of infrastructure at the right time. Thirdly, the need for investment in economic infrastructure never goes away. The maintenance and expansion of infrastructure are important dimensions of supporting economic activity in a growing economy, provided that individual projects are chosen on the basis of appropriate cost-benefit analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. New Data, New Approaches and New Evidence: A Policy Synthesis.
- Author
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Arndt, Channing
- Subjects
ECONOMIC policy ,STAGNATION (Economics) ,ECONOMIC development ,INDUSTRIAL productivity ,BUSINESS enterprises - Abstract
Abstract: The Republic of South Africa faces the imperative of escaping economic stagnation. This article seeks to synthesise results from a series of research efforts, including but not limited to the articles presented in this special issue, and consider policy options for escaping economic stagnation. The focus is on South Africa and South African policies yielding relatively quick dividends in terms of growth and taking the rest of the world as given. Four broad implications are presented. These could form part of a concerted effort to escape from South Africa's long running economic malaise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Introduction: Firm Level Analysis With Administrative Data.
- Author
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Arndt, Channing, Davies, Rob, Gavin, Elizabeth, and Mcmillan, Landon
- Subjects
TAXATION of business enterprises ,BUSINESS enterprises ,ECONOMIC development ,BUSINESS revenue ,ECONOMIC policy - Abstract
Abstract: This special issue focuses on a collaborative effort between the National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to employ administrative record data from SARS for economic policy analysis. It contains six research articles plus a synthesis article designed to draw out potential policy implications and to place this research into a broader context. Exploitation of tax administrative record data has become global best practice. We conclude that this effort demonstrates strong prospects for developing a better understanding of the South African economy with positive implications for economic policy formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. The implementation and sustainability of pro‐poor local economic development initiatives in King Cetshwayo District municipality.
- Author
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Jili, Nokukhanya N. and Nzimakwe, Thokozani I.
- Subjects
YOUNG adults ,ECONOMIC development ,CITIES & towns ,SUSTAINABILITY ,SMALL business - Abstract
The implementation of economic development policies seems to be a persistent problem hindering local economic development (LED) in South Africa. The main aim of this article was to assess the implementation and sustainability of pro‐poor LED in the King Cetshwayo District municipality. The need to address poverty and unemployment is one of the most critical issues in this municipality. A qualitative approach was adopted in this article whereby eight in‐depth interviews were conducted among municipal officials in uMhlathuze and uMfolozi local municipalities. The researchers further conducted 14 focus group discussions with community members, which included cooperatives. The findings show that LED in the King Cetshwayo District municipality was conceptualised generally as a form of partnership or coalition undertaken between the key players in a local municipality and involves the development of partnerships between the private sector, government and civil society. Moreover, the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) together with other stakeholders, including the municipality, has put measures in place to assist small and medium business enterprises (SMMEs) to benefit from the RBIDZ activities. The article recommends that partnership with young people, businesses and community organisations must be strengthened in order to address the problem of unemployment. This will open a space for more stable job opportunities for the residents. A certain percentage of outsourced work must be given to the youth who are qualified to do the job, and youth must be able to access funding when they try to establish cooperatives, SMEs and non‐profitable organisations (NPOs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Trade liberalization, employment and inequality in India and South Africa.
- Author
-
KUCERA, David and RONCOLATO, Leanne
- Subjects
FREE trade ,INCOME inequality ,CHECKS & balances (Political science) ,LEGISLATIVE oversight ,ECONOMIC development - Abstract
. This article uses social accounting matrices in a Leontief multiplier model to estimate the effects of trade expansion on employment and incomes in India and South Africa. The evaluation focuses on a period of rapid trade liberalization beginning in the early 1990s, distinguishing between trade with developed and developing countries. Employment results identify winning and losing industries and examine sex and skill biases. Income results examine inequality measured by household income distribution (rural and urban). Results are presented in the context of trade theory as regards adjustment mechanisms for bringing trade into balance and implications of specialization for economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND PROGRESS WITH THE DELIVERY OF BASIC SERVICES IN SOUTH AFRICA.
- Author
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Krugell, Waldo, Otto, Hannelie, and Van Der Merwe, Jacky
- Subjects
PUBLIC administration ,LOCAL government ,ECONOMIC development ,URBANIZATION ,URBAN growth - Abstract
In 1994, South Africa adopted the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) and emphasised the delivery of services to meet basic needs. Since then great strides have been made to redress past social inequalities. However, analysis of these successes have been limited to national or provincial aggregates, when much of the responsibility for meeting the RDP commitment lies at the local government level. The need for closer investigation is nonetheless clear from continuing protests over poor service delivery. This paper aims to shed more light on delivery at a local level by using data from the 2001 Census and 2007 Community Survey. The analysis involves the construction of a service delivery index for each municipality and analysis of variance to explain the changes in service delivery over the period 2001-2007. The results show that improved service provision may require further urbanisation and densification. Also, local economic growth in itself may not be important, but it would contribute to the ability to pay for services and in that way aid delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. GROWTH, EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA.
- Author
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Hodge, Duncan
- Subjects
UNEMPLOYMENT ,EMPLOYMENT policy ,MACROECONOMICS -- Government policy ,LABOR supply ,ECONOMIC development ,SOUTH African history - Abstract
The high rate of unemployment in South Africa stands out in an otherwise vastly improved set of macroeconomic fundamentals compared with the situation in the early 1990s. One might be tempted to argue that by this single indicator alone, the government's macroeconomic policies have been a failure. This paper explains why jumping to such a conclusion would be a mistake. Annual time series data on total formal sector employment is constructed dating back to 1946. The relationship between economic growth and formal sector employment is then measured and changes in the employment coefficient over time are described. The employment coefficient was found to be relatively stable, with a long-term average value of 0.5. It returned to this value after a short-lived collapse in the mid-1990s. It is concluded that the main reason for the persistently high and rising rates of unemployment in South Africa since the mid 1990s was the very large increase in the labour force and not a historically deficient growth or employment performance of the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. A GROWTH MODEL FOR SOUTH AFRICA.
- Author
-
Rattsø, Jørn and Stokke, Hildegunn E.
- Subjects
COMMERCIAL policy ,MONEY market ,INVESTMENT analysis ,CAPITAL market ,INTERNATIONAL trade ,ECONOMIC development - Abstract
We examine the South African growth experience during 1960-2005 using an intertemporal growth model. The model combines old growth theory investment dynamics and new growth theory endogenous productivity growth. The consumption and investment decisions are intertemporal and assume open capital markets. Structural change is captured by separating the traded and nontraded sectors, and sectoral productivity growth is determined in a barriers-to-growth framework. Calibration of the model shows how the growth experience combines neoclassical convergence, technology spillovers with barriers and productivity-investment interaction. Counterfactual analysis shows the growth costs of sanctions and protectionism. The suggested model is an alternative to existing growth modelling in South Africa, in which investments are short-sighted and productivity growth is imposed exogenously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Rural Local Economic Development and Land Restitution in South Africa: The Case of Schmidtsdrift, Northern Cape.
- Author
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Philander, D.E. and Rogerson, C.M.
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development ,CIVIL restitution ,LAND reform ,APARTHEID - Abstract
Local Economic Development is (LED) an activity of increasing importance in the developing world as globalisation produces new roles for local governments. As compared to a growing number of urban initiatives for LED, rural LED initiatives are relatively undeveloped. In this paper, the focus is upon South Africa, where the post-apartheid government has sought to encourage both urban and rural LED initiatives. Programmes of land reform and restitution in South Africa result in the resettlement or return to the land of communities formerly dispossessed under apartheid. A critical element of planning for successful resettlement is the implementation of LED programmes. Schmidtsdrift in Northern Cape is examined as an example of participatory LED in a developing rural context. Rural LED in South Africa is distinguished by its focus upon poverty alleviation in the context of addressing the legacies of apartheid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. THINKING LIKE A GOVERNOR: CENTRAL BANKING UNDER AN INFLATION TARGET.
- Author
-
de Wet, Walter A.
- Subjects
CENTRAL banking industry ,PRICE inflation ,DEPRECIATION ,ECONOMIC development ,ECONOMICS - Abstract
In late 2001 South Africa suffered a sharp depreciation of its currency. This resulted in inflation rising to such a level that the Reserve Bank of South Africa had to abandon achieving their initial inflation target of 3 - 6 percent for 2002 and then set out with great vigour to reach the target in 2003. Since the early months of 2002 the Reserve Bank increased their operational target—the repo rate—several times, such that by middle September 2002 the repo rate was 400 basis points above its January 2002 level. Several economists and politicians decried this move, calling for a relaxation of policy in order to stimulate growth.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. SOUTH AFRICAN MANUFACTURING PERFORMANCE IN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE 1970–1999.
- Author
-
van Dijk, Michiel
- Subjects
MANUFACTURING industries ,ECONOMIC development ,INTERNATIONAL trade - Abstract
Reports on the economic performance of the manufacturing industries in South Africa. Construction of industry specific purchasing power parities; Computation of labor productivity levels; International competitiveness of the manufacturing industries.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Growth and institutions.
- Author
-
Fedderke, Johannes
- Subjects
SOCIAL institutions ,POLITICAL science ,ECONOMIC development ,SOCIAL sciences - Abstract
Alternative conceptions of the link between social and political institutions and economic growth are explored theoretically and empirically. A number of plausible hypotheses found in the literature are found to have distinct implications for social steady state, including the possibility of low income steady state institutional traps. Empirical evidence suggests considerable heterogeneity between countries in the nature of the link between institutions and economic activity, throwing doubt on the validity of standard cross-sectional growth equations. The application of cointegration techniques of analysis identifies a number of countries that may prove fruitful as the object of more detailed clinical analysis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. SHIPPING COSTS AND SOUTH AFRICA'S EXPORT POTENTIAL: AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS.
- Author
-
Naude, W.A.
- Subjects
MARITIME shipping ,EXPORTS ,ECONOMIC development - Abstract
Examines the potential of South Africa in terms of shipping costs and exporting. Adoption of an economic growth strategy; Introduction of various incentives; Effect of the Asian crisis in export performance.
- Published
- 2001
36. HOUSEHOLD INEQUALITY AND THE LABOR MARKET IN SOUTH AFRICA.
- Author
-
Leibbrandt, Murray, Bhorat, Haroon, and Woolard, Ingrid
- Subjects
INCOME & employment theory ,LABOR market ,HOUSEHOLDS & economics ,ECONOMIC development ,UNEMPLOYMENT - Abstract
There has been very little detailed exploration of the relationship between wage income and household inequality in South Africa despite the relevance of this issue for many contemporary growth and development policy debates. This article is directed at such an analysis. It uses a decomposition of household income inequality by income components to highlight the dominance of wage income in driving overall income inequality. This is followed by a detailed discussion of the distribution of the unemployed across different wage-earning household categories. Many of the unemployed are seen to depend on wage earners within their households, but a significant percentage of the unemployed, especially in rural areas, have no direct link to labor market earners. In such cases, the creation of employment is essential. The conclusion explores policy implications by linking our empirical findings to South African debates over the quality versus the quantity of employment. (JEL D31, J68, O55) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. SOUTH AFRICA.
- Subjects
SOUTH African economy ,ECONOMIC development ,ECONOMIC sectors ,FINANCIAL crises ,UNEMPLOYMENT ,INVESTMENTS ,ECONOMIC demand - Abstract
The article reports on economic analysts' predictions that economic growth will decline to less than 1% in South Africa. This has been noted by firms such as Absa Capital, Nedbank, and RMB, while job cuts are expected to increase in the mining, manufacturing, and retail sectors. The motor vehicle and parts sector, and textile, paper production have also noted the slow growth die to the lower demand. Though additional stimulus is being planned, the overall investment is expected to slow.
- Published
- 2008
38. Economic Development and South Africa: 25 Years Analysis (1994 to 2019).
- Author
-
Dhamija, Pavitra
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development ,ECONOMIC expansion ,SUSTAINABLE development ,ECONOMIC policy - Abstract
Economic Development highlights the growth and progression of every nation towards prosperity, and South Africa is not an exception to this phenomenon. Present article reviews economic progression in South Africa for last 25 years of time by applying systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis (1,241 articles) on Scopus extracted database (1994 to 2019; until 06 June). Inferences evidence significant work contributed by top universities, authors, funding sources, journals and citation statistics. Noticeably, implementation of a concept solely will not fetch real situation; however, a systematic review extends good to excellent understanding of the considered research agenda. Findings reveal the contradictory inter‐connectivity of Cluster 1 Economic Inequality and Poverty, Cluster 2 Developing Country and Corruption and Cluster 6 Economic Development and Economic Policy. It is very important to understand that if a nation is facing economic inequality, corruption, and poverty; how it can achieve the status of economically developed nation. Identification of Cluster 3 Industrialization and Industry 4.0, Cluster 4 Unemployment and Entrepreneurship Education and Cluster 5 Sustainable Development and Economic Growth signifies scope of improvement. Conclusively, the researcher has proposed a conceptual model to address above stated concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Introduction: political democratization and economic transformation in South Africa.
- Author
-
Zarenda, Harry
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development - Abstract
Introduces a series of articles on the aspects of economic transformation since political democratization took place in South Africa in 1994.
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Carbon emissions, diverse energy usage and economic growth in south africa: Investigating existence of the environmental kuznets curve (EKC).
- Author
-
Ganda, Fortune
- Subjects
CARBON dioxide mitigation ,ENERGY consumption ,KUZNETS curve ,ECONOMIC development - Abstract
This article examined the relationships involving carbon emissions, economic growth and energy consumption by employing the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) in South Africa from 1980 to 2014. The auto regressive distributed lag approach and Johansen cointegration tests proved that the variables are cointegrated. The article findings show that combined (total energy consumption) and hydrocarbon gas and petroleum consumption demonstrates evidence of EKC in the long‐run. Other separated data (primary coal, secondary coal, and electricity consumption) show no evidence of the EKC in the long‐run. Primary coal, secondary coal, electricity and hydrocarbon gas consumption develop positive and statistically significant relationships with carbon emissions in the long‐run but the case of total energy and petroleum consumption was negative and statistically significant. The short‐run results illustrate that combined (total energy consumption) and hydrocarbon gas consumption indicate evidence of EKC. Other separated data (primary coal, secondary coal, electricity, and petroleum consumption) show no evidence of the EKC in the short‐run. Short‐run results also indicated that total energy, primary coal, secondary coal, and electricity consumption report positive and statistically significant relationship with carbon emissions but hydrocarbon gas and petroleum consumption indicate positive but insignificant associations. Granger causality test based on vector error correction method (VECM) are also presented to ascertain causality. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 30–46, 2019 HighlightsThe EKC hypothesis was examined in South Africa by employing energy combined and separated data.The EKC is supported in energy combined data in both short and long‐run but varies in separated data.Primary coal, secondary coal, electricity and hydrocarbon gas consumption develop positive and statistically significant relationships with carbon emissions in the long‐run.Total energy and petroleum consumption generate negative and statistically significant associations with carbon emissions in the long‐run.Total energy, primary coal, secondary coal and electricity show positive and statistically significant relationship with carbon emissions in the short‐run.Hydrocarbon gas and petroleum consumption indicate positive but insignificant association with carbon emissions in the short‐run.Granger causality tests based on VECM are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Full Issue.
- Subjects
EMIGRATION & immigration ,ECONOMIC development ,PRISONS - Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. South Africa.
- Subjects
CONSTRUCTION industry ,INFRASTRUCTURE (Economics) ,ECONOMIC development ,ECONOMICS - Abstract
The article offers a report related to the construction industry in South Africa. It states that the booming construction industry in the country will need to double its present output of one hundred billion annually to meet the public and private sector growth targets leading to 2014. South Africa announced that three hundred seventy-two billion would be spent on infrastructure development over the next few years as a part of their campaign to halve the poverty level in the country.
- Published
- 2006
43. MODELING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TIME-DISTANCE ACCESSIBILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA.
- Author
-
Cheruiyot, Koech and Harrison, Philip
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development ,ECONOMIC activity ,PERFORMANCE evaluation ,INDUSTRIAL concentration ,STATISTICAL correlation ,BORDER crossing ,ECONOMIC models - Abstract
This study explores the commonly held view that high time-distance accessibility to major concentrations of economic activity is positively correlated with economic performance. The study reveals the difficulty of exploring the correlation in a complex space economy where there are multiple nodes of economic concentration. Although we cannot conclude definitively on this correlation nationwide, we are able to show positive relationships within sub-national economies, and also in relation to particular dimensions of accessibility, such as time-distance to major mobility corridors and immediate spatial proximity to metropolitan economies and international border crossings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Le choix de l'informalité: pourquoi les PME d'Afrique du Sud restreignent délibérément leur croissance.
- Author
-
BISCHOFF, Christine and WOOD, Geoffrey
- Subjects
SMALL business ,ECONOMIC development ,INTERVIEWING ,LABOR laws ,BUSINESS models - Abstract
Résumé. A partir d'entretiens, les auteurs analysent les raisons pour lesquelles de nombreuses petites entreprises d'Afrique du Sud respectent partiellement le droit du travail: elles observent plus la législation du travail que les ententes sectorielles conclues par les conseils de négociation, organes établis en vertu de la loi. Les auteurs attribuent cette sélectivité à l'attitude antisyndicale des employeurs durant la période qui a suivi l'abolition de l'apartheid. Ces conseils ciblant davantage les entreprises qui comptent de nombreux travailleurs, les PME sont réticentes à se développer et préfèrent recourir à la sous-traitance. La taille même de l'entreprise devient dès lors une variable de flexibilité. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. BRIC: Belated Christmas Present.
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development ,INTERNATIONAL economic relations - Abstract
The article reports that South Africa has been formally invited to join the group of emerging economies called BRIC, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Experts believe that the accession of South Africa is in consideration of the group's economic interest in Africa. Critics noted the sluggish economic growth of the country compared with the economies of the original members. Bilateral trade between China and South Africa has also rapidly grown.
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Exploring the Impact of Energy Sources on Production, Inequality and Poverty in Simultaneous Equations Models for South Africa.
- Author
-
Ngepah, Nicholas
- Subjects
ECONOMIC development ,ENERGY consumption ,INCOME ,POVERTY ,SUPPLY & demand ,INDUSTRIAL productivity ,MATHEMATICAL models - Abstract
This work adapts per capita income, energy demand (sub-group decomposed), inequality and poverty frameworks in a simultaneous equations setting to investigate the role of energy sources on per capita income, inequality and poverty in South Africa. It finds that energy sources (particularly electricity and diesel) are important in estimating production functions. Gasoline, kerosene and coal all exacerbate poverty, with the highest impacts on abject poverty. It is better to disaggregate energy sources in order to capture resource-specific details. Redistribution efforts that focus on reduction of between-group inequality can also moderate energy use since between-group inequality tends to increase the demand for most energy sources. Public efforts are yielding fruits in this direction and should be encouraged. Access to energy sources like electricity, diesel and gas are crucial for productivity enhancement, but for them to yield significant anti-poverty fruits, efforts must also target broadening capital access by the poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. International tourism and economic development in South Africa: a Granger causality test.
- Author
-
Akinboade, Oludele A. and Braimoh, Lydia A.
- Subjects
TOURISM ,ECONOMIC development ,GROSS domestic product ,FOREIGN exchange rates ,DEVELOPING countries - Abstract
One of the major objectives of macroeconomic policies in many developing countries is sustained economic growth, and South Africa has been striving to achieve and maintain this in various ways. One of these is through international tourism. Although international tourism contributes to the growth of many economies, it is in turn, impacted by growth in many developed countries. Real gross domestic product (GDP), international tourism earnings, real effective exchange rate and exports were analysed within a multivariate vector auto regressive model using annual data covering 1980–2005. The main focus of this study therefore was to demonstrate the direction of causality between international tourism earnings and long-run economic growth of South Africa, among other variables, using Granger causality analysis. The result obtained showed a unidirectional causality running from international tourism earnings to real GDP, both in the short run and in the long run. The error correction mechanism carried out also supported this causality. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Protective incubators and South African MNEs.
- Author
-
Klein, Saul and Wöcke, Albert
- Subjects
INTERNATIONAL business enterprises ,COMPETITIVE advantage in business ,HUMAN capital ,LABOR economics ,BUSINESS development ,ECONOMIC development ,EXPORTS ,INTERNATIONAL trade - Abstract
Emerging-market multinational enterprises (MNEs) often lack conventional competitive advantages (high knowledge bases, stable currencies, industry concentrations of foreign direct investment) and, thus, should be disadvantaged in competing globally. A protective environment, however, may help develop firm-specific advantages in countries with deficiencies in human capital, and market and technological resources. We demonstrate how four such companies from South Africa progressed from their domestic base to become successful MNEs. Contrary to expectations, international expansion of MNEs from less competitive economies may be driven more by the transfer of intangible knowledge across national boundaries than by exporting finished goods. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. ETHNIC BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: THE AFRIKANER CASE, 1915-1970.
- Author
-
Giliomee, Hermann
- Subjects
ECONOMIC conditions of ethnic groups ,ECONOMIC development ,CORPORATE political activity ,AFRIKANERS ,MARKET share ,SOCIAL history - Abstract
The struggle for racial or ethnic group worth is an important socio-political issue in societies where a minority ethnic group, like the English-speaking whites in South Africa or the Chinese in Malaysia, dominates the economy but not the political system. There are two routes to the empowerment of an economically backward group. In the Afrikaner case, economic mobilisation formed part of a general ethnic mobilisation. While the Afrikaner-controlled state after 1948 massively aided all whites, Afrikaner business increased its market share through serving a niche market. It received little ethnic patronage from the state or assistance from English corporations. A quite different from of advancement is that driven by the state, which imposes on large corporations the obligation to promote the economic empowerment of a racial group. While the first form facilitated the rise of the ethnic group as a whole, the latter one benefited mainly a business and middle class elite that may remain dependent on continuing state support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. South Africa's export predicament.
- Author
-
Hausmann, Ricardo and Klinger, Bailey
- Subjects
EXPORTS ,ECONOMIC development ,INTERNATIONAL trade ,PRODUCTION (Economic theory) ,ECONOMIC policy ,ECONOMICS ,PER capita - Abstract
Using South Africa as an example, this article explores how the structure of production affects export diversification and economic growth. We show that the lagging process of structural transformation is part of the explanation for stagnant exports per capita in South Africa over the past 40 years. This slow structural transformation is shown to be a consequence in part of the peripheral nature of South Africa's productive capabilities: the country is specialized in sectors intensive in highly specific factors of production that cannot be easily redeployed to other activities. Using this methodology, we examine the sectoral priorities of the South African Department of Trade and Industry and explore the policy implications of the country's orientation in the product space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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