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
Why Africa’s middle class is so small
Understanding Africa’s upliftment challenges should guide South Africa’s growth policies.
Beyond liberation-era economics and foreign relations
Despite being greeted by gushing global goodwill, ANC leaders chose policies hostile toward this era’s primary growth driver, global integration.
Navigating through today’s global shifts
“If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.” Herbert Stein, economist.
SA’s 21st century “apartheid”
ANC leaders were not interested in shifting from their liberation struggle to competing in the global economy; our economic woes evolved accordingly.
What skill must SA master?
“Play the ball where it’s going, not where it is.” That saying is attributed to a legendary Liverpool football manager, Bill Shankly, but the advice
Fixing our politics requires a robust economy
The rise of Asia raised the bar for all economies and AI will have similar effects.
An updated worldview
US President Trump’s unconventional style distracts attention from how long-established geopolitical presumptions no longer apply.
How well-informed do we need, or want, to be?
Media sources have never been more diverse, but are we better-informed?
Institutionalising idealism is dangerous
Post-1994 South Africa has shown how mixing idealism and institutionalism can encourage exploitation.
Climate activism peaked … now what?
Climate advocacy has routinely downplayed consequences such as job losses, and alternatives like nuclear power.