Shawn Hagedorn
For 20 years, Shawn Hagedorn has been regularly writing articles in leading SA publications, focusing primarily on economic development. For over two years, he wrote a biweekly column titled “Myths and Misunderstandings” without ever lacking subject material. Visit shawn-hagedorn.com/, and follow him on Twitter @shawnhagedorn
Articles By This Author
Iran exposes much media deceptiveness
The biases that were indulged by many covering the brutal Israel-Hamas war discourage reporting on the atrocities committed in Iran. Many who oppose US President
Why Trump covets a Nobel Peace Prize
The most important reason why US President Donald Trump wants a Nobel Peace Prize is central to South Africa’s declining international standing. Many people and
What is killing the rules-based international order?
What distracts so many countries from prioritising their core interests? Reflecting how transport and communication costs have plunged, free trade’s potential to deliver win-win benefits
Understanding Trump and his global impact
“The American people… When they know the facts, they almost always come down on the side of freedom.” – Ronald Reagan Media commentators and voters
Why high inequality disqualifies SA for international aid
The G20 disappointed our leaders because they seek aid despite their lacking a plan to noticeably reduce our poverty and unemployment. ANC cadres associate inequality
China’s lesson about economic imbalances
“China’s over-reliance on investment and exports to power its $19 trillion economy appears to have reached a limit.” – Reuters, 31 October 2025. China’s leaders
Why solutions elude leftists
A nihilist is a sceptic who believes in the truth of nothing. Europe’s progressive parties, the US’s Democratic Party, and the ANC are shedding support.
“Preferential electricity tariffs” versus competitiveness
The ANC leadership’s response to the deindustrialisation that the party’s policies provoke is ill-conceived. Business Day’s reporting of the plan began: “The ANC is pushing
Global economy the key to SA’s success
Our political and economic biases preclude broad prosperity. Mixing inequality politics and resource extraction undermines upliftment. A recent editorial by a leading business publication extolled
“Hey fascist! Catch! ↑ → ↓↓↓” − The race to frame public perceptions of why a free speech advocate was killed
Late last Wednesday evening I was watching a podcast by my favourite source for US political news and analysis, Mark Halperin of 2Way, and he