The rise of authoritarianism is a profound threat. On the plus side, it has discredited various myths and misperceptions making it considerably easier to develop a worldview.  “Worldview”, as used here, refers to how decisions are informed by beliefs and knowledge about how the world is evolving. In some important ways, the world has become…Continue reading Why developing a political worldview has become easier – and more important

While pitting constitutional democracies and capitalism against Marxist-inspired ideologies, the last Cold War slowed South Africa’s political transition. Today’s version, about authoritarianism versus representative forms of government, can aid opportunists seeking to undermine our democratic institutions. The 1945-1990 Cold War made clear that Marxist-inspired economic policies retard progress. That capitalism resoundingly won that round greatly…Continue reading Might a new Cold War suit the ANC?

As people naturally seek validation of strongly held beliefs, it is easy for the ANC to exploit polarisation. The inability either to deter last July’s mass rioting and looting or to subsequently prosecute the instigators and their foot soldiers reflects ANC corruption and incompetence. But, given the dangers that such fraying of political stability foreshadows,…Continue reading How seeking validation blocks solutions

Depicting opponents as being morally deficient plays well at campaign rallies but it blocks solutions. Media organisations have also spurred polarisation by demoting non-partisan, objective reporting. President Biden accusing his Russian counterpart of war crimes plays well with much of his base and others. Yet, under most plausible scenarios, this makes an acceptable outcome more…Continue reading Being ‘better than them’

Prosecuting corruption is necessary but it won’t fix our economy. Vigilantly pursuing the Zondo Commission’s recommendations must be accompanied by finding solutions to our youth unemployment crisis,  guided by today’s international currents.  While legal tools have evidenced rampant corruption, lawful forms of patronage, such as a bloated public service and cadre deployment, pose still greater…Continue reading Legal patronage sabotages competitiveness and growth

Some autocratic regimes seek legitimacy through staging elections. All of them seek legitimacy through criticising the West. The war in Ukraine challenges such criticisms. Prospects for school leavers have become a far better proxy for legitimacy. Cultivating a sophisticated and up-to-date worldview typically requires appreciating much history, economics, and the basics of international relations while dutifully…Continue reading Legitimacy: Russia, China, and SA versus the West

The war in Ukraine symbolises autocratic governments attacking the rules-based global order. It also highlights why our leaders have failed young South Africans, as they still can’t articulate a workable plan.  ANC reluctance to criticise Russia’s barbarism traces to their sympathies for fellow patronage-reliant regimes. Antipathy toward the West’s disproportionate global influence blinds the party’s…Continue reading Ukraine, Russia, China and SA’s ‘born frees’

Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, following its ‘no limits’ unity with China, is challenging the global order in ways that highlight why the ANC’s perceptions are as misguided as their policies and practices are defeatist.  As the Cold War was about to unexpectedly and swiftly wind down, a celebrated, though frequently misinterpreted, hypothesis sought to…Continue reading SA amid a pivoting world order

Designers of self-driving cars must transcend technical challenges while calibrating how much faith to have in other drivers. Navigating South Africa’s current threats and opportunities also requires blending an odd set of skills and perspectives. Humans must make sense of the world around them to drive a car or to steer a national economy. We…Continue reading Misplaced faith

Analogy I: Fishing = purchasing power Lake SA has long been overfished ANC’s remedy seeks funding for more shallow water boats  Conversely, ocean fishing boats must compete internationally Other countries are better at taxing and regulating Their policies lead to  more and better boats access to more fish  access to more fish customers Instead of…Continue reading “SA has no future if its young people don’t get linked into global supply chains”