Sachs underplays the point that asset redistribution SA style throuh state capture, corruption and muddled leadership enriches a favoured few, curtails investment in human capital and essential services for the poor, thus adding to the widening of the income gap.
It would be instructive to put arrows on key dates on the graph. The decreasing GDP until 1994, the flattening after Zuma elected in 2009. It highlights that the problem with SA GDP growth is political!
Jare gelede was ek deel van 'n studie van 400 boere in Wes-Tembuland. Daardie boere was gretig om hulle informele besiteg van grond om te skakel na formele besitreg soos wat dit geld in die res van Suid-Afrika. Hulle beskik oor dieselfde eienskappe as kommeersiële boere en behoort dieselfde regte te kry. Ongelukkig het toentertyd se departementele amptenare nie saam gestem nie: "Dit sou 'n revolusie ontketen (en hulle werk ook!)."
Without further fanning the flames of “high minded theorising” - what about SAs disconnected foreign policy? Is this too thorny an issue? Very impactful read - eloquent and thoughtful. Thank you Johan.
PS. I recommend Michael Sandel’s book “Enlightenment now”. I’m sure you’ve seen it - his lay explanation of GINI numbers is a useful take. Apologies if this is old news.
Great post! Just one qualm: if Michael Sachs is calling for asset redistribution, then using the Theil Index (income) doesn't address this, as racial wealth inequality might be much larger than racial income inequality
Great point, Abel. Wealth is just really difficult to measure. For example, should we include usage rights to communal land as part of asset ownership or not? Probably not, but then the easiest form of wealth redistribution would simply be for the state to hand over titles to those residing in the former homelands.
Sachs underplays the point that asset redistribution SA style throuh state capture, corruption and muddled leadership enriches a favoured few, curtails investment in human capital and essential services for the poor, thus adding to the widening of the income gap.
It would be instructive to put arrows on key dates on the graph. The decreasing GDP until 1994, the flattening after Zuma elected in 2009. It highlights that the problem with SA GDP growth is political!
Jare gelede was ek deel van 'n studie van 400 boere in Wes-Tembuland. Daardie boere was gretig om hulle informele besiteg van grond om te skakel na formele besitreg soos wat dit geld in die res van Suid-Afrika. Hulle beskik oor dieselfde eienskappe as kommeersiële boere en behoort dieselfde regte te kry. Ongelukkig het toentertyd se departementele amptenare nie saam gestem nie: "Dit sou 'n revolusie ontketen (en hulle werk ook!)."
Without further fanning the flames of “high minded theorising” - what about SAs disconnected foreign policy? Is this too thorny an issue? Very impactful read - eloquent and thoughtful. Thank you Johan.
"that stifle entry and competition and keep new, often black, entrepreneurs out." Can you quantify this?
Hahaha ons is cooked
PS. I recommend Michael Sandel’s book “Enlightenment now”. I’m sure you’ve seen it - his lay explanation of GINI numbers is a useful take. Apologies if this is old news.
Great post! Just one qualm: if Michael Sachs is calling for asset redistribution, then using the Theil Index (income) doesn't address this, as racial wealth inequality might be much larger than racial income inequality
Great point, Abel. Wealth is just really difficult to measure. For example, should we include usage rights to communal land as part of asset ownership or not? Probably not, but then the easiest form of wealth redistribution would simply be for the state to hand over titles to those residing in the former homelands.
Waardevol, dankie.
Erwin