This paper presents an analysis of the interaction of human capital investment and the development of social and political institutions. We find that human capital matters—for growth through its quality dimension; for distributional conflict by raising political aspirations. But human capital...

The recent economic performance of Sub Saharan Africa has been very disappointing. Its poverty has many dimensions and causes, both internal and external. This paper focuses on the role of institutions in promoting or hindering economic development in Africa and the implications for doing...

Over the past decade, economics departments in South Africa have seen major changes and a certain level of disruption. Much of this can be attributed to the integration of our discipline into the global arena after a period of academic isolation. This paper presents a survey of economics...

The paper investigates the factors influencing the internationalization of mining firms into Africa and the strategies employed. We find that the three most important factors identified by mining houses as influencing their decisions to invest are all related to institutional voids particular to...

Takes issue with the way in which economics deals with the state and assumes homogeneous capacity. Instead it argues that differences in growth rates between countries can be traced back to the capacity of the state and political system. A state that is relatively capable is able to provide a...

The article examines the shift in the post‐apartheid government’s economic policy from its reconstruction and development programme to its growth, employment and redistribution policy. It argues that this move towards a more neo‐liberal paradigm reflects the growing reflection of the...