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.

Meticulously researched it includes many first-hand accounts of important milestones in South Africa's political and economic history, as well as current perceptions about the role and entitlement of business versus the state;It has been timed to give readers some of the answers to the questions that are circulating about the best way forward following the changing of guard at the ANC's elective conference in December 2017;With its easy narrative but serious message, Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism? The role of business in South Africa is a wake-up call to South Africa that the time has come to dispense with divisive and hollow rhetoric, and that business has a responsibility to find common ground within itself, and with other economic players, if the country is to have any chance of turning the corner

About the Author
Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism? is the work of prominent economist, business spokesperson of many years and currently a professor at the North-West University School of Business and Governance, Raymond Parsons. Given his lengthy tenure in the organised business sector in South Africa and his keen grasp of the influence of politics on economic performance, and vice versa.


Book Information
ISBN 9781431426188
Author Raymond Parsons
Format Paperback
Page Count 210
Imprint Jacana Media
Publisher Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd
Weight(grams) 500g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 155mm * 15mm