Focus

Focus 85 - The Changing International Order: Emerging Powers

The great wheel of power is turning, with new powers rising up through the cracks in the US-led global order. What is the economic outlook for emerging markets? What impact will China and others continue to have on Africa? And what new thought, norms and anchors for society are mounting to challenge the liberal dispensation?

Focus 84 - The Changing International Order: Fault Lines

The great wheel of power is turning and the liberal dimension of international relations is under strain. What has led to the rise of new powers? Is the changing international system not only becoming less American, but less liberal? This 84th edition of FOCUS explores deepening fractures in the global order.

Focus 83 - On Land

This edition of Focus provides an overview of some of the themes concerning land, expropriation and usage which have been before the broader public for the last ten months. It does not in any way purport to be a comprehensive overview of the debates nor, does it seek to intervene in any way the issues which are currently being debated in Parliament.

Focus 82 - The Economy

As South Africa undergoes rapid political changes, revitalising the country’s flagging economy remains central to the nation’s future prospects. This edition of Focus looks at the state of the economy and what is needed to reignite economic growth. It contains contributions from leading economists on the topic that look at issues of; competitiveness, growth potential, investment and, tax and spending and their role in South Africa’s economic recovery.

Focus 81 - State & Nation

This edition of Focus, the last for the year, looks at State and Nation in South Africa. With the nation facing a plethora of challenges and an upcoming 18 months that many see as definitional for South Africa's future prospects, this edition analyses a number of important political and legal questions. Its publication also comes soon after the celebrations of the centenary of Helen Suzman's birth. This edition pays tribute to her life and legacy and, in doing so, hopes to draw lessons for our contemporary society from Helen's firmly held liberal principles.

Focus 80 - Nationalism and Populism

This edition of Focus looks at the global rise of nationalist politics and populist policies. Against the backdrop of numerous major international events, that have brought these issues back firmly onto the global political agenda, this edition will explore the ramifications of this political and social shift for South Africa and the world. In doing so, it will look at the history of these concepts, their theoretical foundations, the social and economic factors that drive them and their potential impact.

Focus 79 - South Africa and the World

This edition of Focus looks at South Africa's position within the global context. The pieces traverse the history of South Africa's foreign policy. We examine our membership to BRICS, our relations with China and the implications of the Brexit vote. We also consider our role within the UN and provide an economic forecast of our future prospects drawing on lessons from other countries.

Focus 78 - The Economy

This edition of Focus deals with the Economy. We begin with Michael Spicer’s broad sweep of the business government relationship during the apartheid era and, thereafter, post-apartheid. He chronicles the on-going deterioration in this relationship. He rightly points out that business is not a homogenous entity, but he also notes, especially during the Zuma years, how fractious, divided and unfocussed the state’s developmental initiatives have been.

Focus 77 - State and Nation

This edition of Focus is the last for 2015 and, again, we try to provide an overview of State and Nation in South Africa. There is an emphasis this time on infrastructural concerns. Given the drought which is affecting South Africa, it is inevitable that water must feature prominently. But drought is not only a matter of lack of rain: it is also about planning, or the lack thereof. In South Africa this problem is compounded by policy choices, and how we deal with land for agricultural purposes.

Focus 76 - The Idea of a University

This edition of Focus explores the issues which currently confront Universities in South Africa. Our starting point is the great tract The Idea of a University by John Henry Newman. With his background at Oxford and, later, with his involvement in the establishment of the University of Ireland, he was keenly aware of issues of marginalisation and religious and ethnic differences. Issues which we also face in contemporary South Africa. Nor did questions of finance escape him.

Focus 75 - The Economy

The first edition of Focus for 2015 pays tribute to the late Harry Zarenda, and is dedicated to an examination of the South African economy.

Focus 74 - State and Nation

The final edition of Focus for 2014 recapitulates and analyses some of the issues which have arisen in the past year with a view to adding new and alternative assessments of South Africa’s development as a constitutional state.