Articles By This Author

When judges aren’t

Opinions

The Western (including South African) judiciary is a peculiar thing. To defy a judge is to commit an offence to society so great that most

From pact to pillar: The Multi-Party Charter after the 2024 election

Opinions

The Multi-Party Charter has the potential to become a new pillar in South African society – just what the country might need after the 2024

‘Rule of Law’: Vapid or still relevant?

Opinions

The following is an edited address I delivered to the European Center for Austrian Economics Foundation at the Princely Wine Cellars in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, on

Can we address real crime in an overcriminalised society? 

Opinions

South Africa is a country so beleaguered by out-of-control violent crime that in some cases it even makes active warzones look peaceful by comparison. 2024

Take the port or build a port – but passivity is out of the question! 

Opinions

The municipal and provincial governments of Cape Town and the Western Cape, and the party that governs them, the Democratic Alliance (DA), are unhappy with

When individuality kills

Opinions

I am an unapologetic political, moreover liberal, individualist. As far as I am concerned, this is the only legitimate position one can hold as regards

‘Get over’ government: Stateproofing against harm begins in the psyche

Opinions

A responsible society is one that does not wait for politicians to solve problems on its behalf. It does the work without standing meekly by

Four false criticisms of liberalism from the right 

Opinions

As the national-conservative movement grows around the world, the right is increasingly abandoning the alliance of convenience it had with liberalism during the latter half

South Africa’s provinces should conduct their own foreign affairs

Opinions

The ability to conduct foreign affairs is a defining characteristic of an independent, sovereign polity. This is why central governments, even in federations, tend to

‘199’ is the 2024 election’s magic number: hit it, and everything changes

Opinions

In this piece, published in June, 2023 and which was one of our most-read pieces of 2023, Martin van Staden explains that if the ANC