Our Publications

Insights | The State and Economic Development

August 15th 2019

This paper is based on Professor Fukuyama’s reflections on the role of the state in economic development which he offered at a series of public lectures, and workshops with government officials. He also set out the key considerations for a country like South Africa.

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Insights | Contemporary Populism

August 15th 2019

This paper is based on Professor Fukuyama’s talk to business leaders, and includes some analysis from Professor Fukuyama’s new book, Identity, launched in Johannesburg during his visit. It also draws on his responses to questions from business leaders and from discussants Songezo Zibi, Sydney Mufamadi and Mondli Makhaya. Fukuyama argues that it is helpful to distinguish between three broad aspects of populism and to recognize the differences between them.

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Insights | “Getting to Denmark” : How societies build capable, democratic and law bound states

June 15th, 2019

Getting to Denmark has now become a widely adopted metaphor for the question of how to transform weak and poor states into well-functioning societies.

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News and Opinion

SA’s official unemployment rate increases 

July 31st 2019

South Africa’s official unemployment rate has jumped to 29% in the second quarter of the year. Speaking on eNCA, CDE’s Ann Bernstein states that the basic education system is failing the large majority of its learners as 70-80% of schools are not giving quality education to mainly poorer South Africans.

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2019 mid-year population estimates   

July 30th 2019

On SAfm, CDE’s Ann Bernstein discusses the 2019 mid-year population estimates as released by Statistics South Africa, and argues that the number of young women we get into education and employment is a key factor in population growth.

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SONA was a missed opportunity  

June 21st, 2019

Speaking on eNCA, CDE’s Ann Bernstein says President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address was a missed opportunity to help the country get the growth and investment needed.

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What’s Happening

The role of the state in development: Public lecture by Professor Francis Fukuyama

March 28, 2019

On March 28 2019, one of the world’s most influential political philosophers, Professor Fukuyama gave a public lecture on the role of the state in development at Wits Business School.

Watch the live stream of the lecture.

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CDE and eNCA Elections Debate

January 30th, 2019

In the run up to May’s election, political parties need to offer the electorate real solutions to our country’s biggest challenges. CDE and eNCA invite you to an elections debate on urban led growth. In this one hour programme CDE’s executive director, Ann Bernstein, will outline the potential of cities and propose policy reforms that could generate much more growth and inclusion.

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