Raymond Parsons – författare

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.

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.