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
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
Understanding Trump
President Donald Trump’s domestic popularity would suffer if his opponents were less delusional. His foreign policy strategy prioritises China. Many people who have met the
How idealism undermines SA
Few countries have ever paid a greater price for overindulging ideals. It is rather easy to argue that the current suffering in Ukraine could have
Understanding Trump
Other governments have been far more effective at understanding and responding to US President Trump. We underappreciate how ‘what-should-be’ politicking blocks solutions. Spewing facts to
How does SA’s culture block growth?
South Africa’s mix of insularity, ubiquitous patronage, and much magical thinking blocks economic growth by undermining merit and global integration. A serious national dialogue initiative
How the ANC obstructs progress
The ANC’s national dialogue initiative is a propaganda exercise which other political parties and civil society leaders should counter with workable solutions. Let’s explore why