On March 13, I interviewed the economist Tyler Cowen at Stellenbosch University. The discussion is now available on YouTube and as a bonus episode of the Our Long Walk podcast on all major platforms. Enjoy!
One subject discussed, viz. "charter cities", I want to take issue with, specifically with reference to the South African context. From a socio-political and cultural point of view, a sort of "charter city model" is probably highly appropriate for South Africa. Intimate knowledge of the country and its history over at least the last 30 years, point to a growing realisation that our unitary state model is not best suited for lasting peace in our multi-cultural country. No doubt there are groups in our country that strongly support the idea of something akin to charter cities. Of course we must develop our own appropriate model, but even as an economist myself I will not argue that economic thinking should in such cases trump socio-political and cultural thinking. Put differently, our own model may not have economic development as primary objective, although it will still be important, but rather socio-political and cultural objectives. If the latter are more important to the inhabitants of the city or enclave than outstanding economic performance and growth, as measured traditionally by us as economists, who are the non-residents to judge? The residens may be of the opinion that SUFFICIENT satisfaction of their basic needs are good enough, and that huge wealth is not their priority. Should their own cost-benefit calculations not be good enough, and should a desired outcome of such calculations be orescribed from outside? I think not...
What a pleasure it was to listen to this! Two incredibly competent economists at the forefront of RELEVANT thinking for today and tomorrow's world...
One subject discussed, viz. "charter cities", I want to take issue with, specifically with reference to the South African context. From a socio-political and cultural point of view, a sort of "charter city model" is probably highly appropriate for South Africa. Intimate knowledge of the country and its history over at least the last 30 years, point to a growing realisation that our unitary state model is not best suited for lasting peace in our multi-cultural country. No doubt there are groups in our country that strongly support the idea of something akin to charter cities. Of course we must develop our own appropriate model, but even as an economist myself I will not argue that economic thinking should in such cases trump socio-political and cultural thinking. Put differently, our own model may not have economic development as primary objective, although it will still be important, but rather socio-political and cultural objectives. If the latter are more important to the inhabitants of the city or enclave than outstanding economic performance and growth, as measured traditionally by us as economists, who are the non-residents to judge? The residens may be of the opinion that SUFFICIENT satisfaction of their basic needs are good enough, and that huge wealth is not their priority. Should their own cost-benefit calculations not be good enough, and should a desired outcome of such calculations be orescribed from outside? I think not...