Search results for ""Author Raymond Parsons""

This book provides a broad assessment of Trevor Manuel as minister of Finance and of the South African economy under his stewardship over the last eight years. Manuel's term of office has coincided with major events and developments in the economy, which call for an authoritative but readable evaluation.

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South Africa has entered a new era, with the country’s recently elected president, Cyril Ramaphosa, promising a ‘new dawn’. But will President Ramaphosa and his administration, together with business and labour, be able to turn the economy around and at last satisfy the aspirations of millions of people who, for decades, have been promised better lives? And what role should business – and organised business – be playing in all of this? Although business is the main driver of the economy, it has for years been a passenger in economic policy-making. These and other questions relating to South Africa’s complex character and uncertain future prospects are thoroughly explored in Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism: The Role of Business in South Africa.Written by prominent economist, Raymond Parsons, together with Ali Parry, the book offers a balanced and absorbing analysis of what various institutions and individuals have (and have not) done to eradicate the legacy of apartheid and bring South Africa to where it is today. Freed from the shackles of the Zuma regime, South Africa now has a decisive opportunity to take stock of what has gone wrong in the country since the advent of democracy and take appropriate corrective action. But will it? What are the chances of success?History can so easily repeat itself if politicians and business leaders choose to ignore the lessons of the past. Fresh thinking and a large dose of pragmatism are imperative if South Africa is to turn the corner and build a bigger, stronger and better economy. At this critical juncture, organised business institutions in South Africa also need to reprise their role as the voice and champion of the constituencies they are mandated to serve.

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Outlining key social and economic realities that confront South Africa's new government, this collection of 11 essays by top economic and political analysts debates the problems facing newly elected socialist-leaning president Jacob Zuma. Politically, the widespread world recession has South Africans on both the left and the right calling for change in the economy, and these articles offer 70 key recommendations for bolstering the country's business climate. Controversial issues include interest rates, labor markets, the breakaway COPE party, and how far to the Left a Zuma government can swing, given the economic constraints on their options.

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In the light of global and domestic developments since his 2009 publication Zumanomics, Raymond Parsons now reassesses the economic prospects for South Africa post-Mangaung and following the 2014 general election. While the original book was a collective effort with other contributors, this is an individual one. Many red lights are flashing for the economy and South Africa is struggling to avoid a low-growth trap. What are the conditions for the success of the National Development Plan's vision for 2030, and can it be translated into reality? What will happen after the 2014 election? Drawing on his considerable experience and analysis of South Africa's political economy, Professor Parsons redefines and updates Zumanomics in light of these developments. Will South Africa be able to move successfully to address the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality identified by President Zuma as the three greatest issues needing South Africa's attention? How can the country improve its global competitiveness? How can South Africa best build on its strengths and address its weaknesses? This is a timely book, comprehensive, insightful, and recommended reading for individuals interested in understanding the challenges for new government and the way forward toward unlocking the growth potential with a shared prosperity for all in South Africa.

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Where is South Africa going now? And where will South Africa be in five years' time? Much has been written about the country's past, but is enough thought being given to its future? Is South Africa in danger of again losing its way, given its pressing socio-economic challenges? Prominent economist Raymond Parsons has drawn together a powerful collection of expert thinkers, economists and analysts who tackle these issues head on as well as offering timely solutions to several of South Africa's most pressing problems, drawing key lessons from the past in crystallising what South Africa needs to do to create a better future. After the so-called 'lost decade' under the Zuma administration, South Africans had high hopes that President Ramaphosa would deliver on his promise of a 'new dawn'. Yet despite high expectations that the country would finally turn the corner and settle onto a path of stronger inclusive growth and better governance, socio-economic conditions have deterioriated. Growth remains negligible, unemployment has worsened and the fiscus is under considerable strain. Will SA be able to break out of its present 'growth trap' without falling into a 'debt trap'? The country is also facing global headwinds in the form of volatile market conditions, shifting geopolitics, and a fast-changing and disruptive technological landscape which threatens to leave all but the most well-prepared behind. So how must the different strands of policy - ranging from purely economic issues to broader questions around education and the rule of law - now knit together to create a bigger, stronger and better SA economy in future? If the vision of a well-functioning society is to be realised, policy uncertainty about the road ahead must be generally tackled at the highest level to facilitate job-rich growth. And business and civil society, in its turn, must take a long-term view of South Africa's future and commit energy and resources to bringing about change which is both productive and transformational. Recession, Recovery & Reform will offer compelling new insights into how South Africa can unlock its potential in the years ahead. The publication of this title a month ahead of the ANC policy conference in June 2020, at which President Ramaphosa's political and economic 'track record' will be widely assessed, ensures it will be a must-read for all who are concerned about South Africa's well-being and who are willing to believe that a 'new dawn' is indeed possible.

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